GitHub Copilot and Legacy Code: Challenges for Federal Government

The Opportunity: Embracing AI in Federal ICT Delivery

AI coding platforms like GitHub Copilot are rapidly becoming mainstream. They accelerate development, improve quality, and free developers from repetitive coding tasks. Federal government agencies see this as a way to modernise ICT delivery and improve efficiency.

The Challenge – Legacy Code and VS 2019

Through our work with government clients, Azooa has found a recurring barrier:

• Heavy reliance on Visual Studio 2019 – Many core applications are still developed and maintained in VS 2019.

• Legacy frameworks – Applications depend on older .NET versions and bespoke integrations.

• Limited AI integration – Copilot works best in modern IDEs and frameworks (e.g., Visual Studio 2022, VS Code, .NET 6/8). With VS 2019, the benefits are minimal.

• Technical debt accumulation – Staying on outdated stacks makes it harder to attract developer talent and slows the delivery of new features.

  
  

In short, while Copilot can add value, legacy technology is a blocker to full adoption.

Azooa’s Solution

1. Custom Extensions for Legacy Environments

Azooa has designed custom extensions and wrappers that allow agencies to begin using Copilot-like assistance even in legacy VS 2019 environments. These provide:

• Secure integration within agency-approved developer setups.

• Governance and compliance overlays to meet ISM and policy requirements.

• Compatibility improvements for developers working with legacy code.

  
  

2. A Comprehensive Modernisation Roadmap

We recommend a phased transition strategy:

• Prioritise re-platforming of high-value applications.

• Move legacy applications to modern stacks (.NET 6/8, cloud-ready frameworks).

• Replace systems that cannot be feasibly modernised.

  
  

3. Unlocking Full AI Benefits

Once applications are on modern platforms, agencies can:

• Use GitHub Copilot to accelerate secure coding.

• Automate unit tests, documentation, and compliance checks.

• Reduce maintenance effort and technical debt.

  
  

The Importance of Modernisation

Modernising legacy systems is not just about upgrading technology; it’s about transforming how agencies operate. By embracing new tools and frameworks, agencies can streamline processes and enhance service delivery. This shift is essential for staying competitive in today’s fast-paced digital landscape.

Benefits of Azooa’s Approach

By combining custom extensions for VS 2019 with a forward-looking modernisation plan, agencies can:

• Start gaining value from AI coding tools today.

• Reduce long-term cost and complexity by addressing legacy platforms.

• Improve developer productivity and morale.

• Position themselves to fully embrace AI-enabled coding in the future.

  
  

Real-World Impact of AI Integration

Integrating AI coding platforms like GitHub Copilot can significantly impact productivity and efficiency. For example, agencies can expect:

• Faster Development Cycles: With AI assistance, developers can complete tasks more quickly, leading to shorter project timelines.

• Higher Quality Code: AI tools can help identify potential issues early in the development process, resulting in cleaner, more reliable code.

• Enhanced Collaboration: AI can facilitate better communication and collaboration among team members, making it easier to share knowledge and best practices.

  
  

Next Steps

Engage Azooa to learn how we can help your agency overcome the challenges of legacy code and Visual Studio 2019 — and unlock the full benefits of AI coding platforms like GitHub Copilot.

By taking the first step towards modernisation, agencies can ensure they are prepared for the future of technology. Let's work together to build a more efficient and innovative ICT landscape in the Australian Federal Government.

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