SumatoSoft advises adding AI layer to legacy software

The article outlines four integration patterns to protect core systems: API and middleware layers that restrict AI access to specific operations, retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) for conversational access to existing data, event-driven integration for real-time reactions, and the Strangler Fig pattern for gradual feature replacement. These methods allow AI to interact with stable, mature data without disrupting the underlying infrastructure.

Before implementation, organizations should verify API availability, data quality, and security requirements. Common pitfalls include granting AI excessive write access too early and underestimating ongoing operational costs. The recommended strategy is to start with narrow, read-only use cases like search or summarization to build trust and measure accuracy before expanding to more complex, write-enabled functions.