Is "Never Replatform" a Bullshit Proposition Regarding eCommerce Platforms?

Occasionally, I see claims from software vendors that are completely unverifiable at worst, or speculative at best.

First, no business ever "has to" replatform, even if there is no support anymore. As long as the vendor is still in business, it's still a business decision. Sometimes an obvious choice, but still a choice, nonethless.

Second, there are several internal factors affecting your needs for a replatform, and it's not just about your business needs changing. (which hopefully that is not a reason)

One example is that the cost structure of your business changes which means you can't afford paying a % of sales any longer, or high minimums, perhaps you gained gross margin over the years and you can now accelerate your investments and use something more modern.

Third, you assume quite a bit about the vendor making the claim.

* Your vendor's roadmap needs to match your roadmap.

* Your vendor needs to listen to you.

* Your vendor needs to not get acquired.

* Your vendor needs to not go out of business.

* Your vendor needs not to take investment from a larger player who might tweak its roadmap.

* Your vendor needs to not lose some or all of its top talent.

Finally, software has always been malleable. That's the beauty of it. It's the people that aren't. Show me 1000 developers who are excited about a new green-field project, and I will show you zero developers who want to maintain someone else's code.

Sadly, the top reason for a replatform tends to be that the new technology team isn't comfortable with the old code. Which, is a sad tale as old as software.

Of course, there is always the opposite reason for not replatorming: "We don't trust anyone else's code." 😂