Merge is a one-day tech conference taking place on April 28, 2025, at Daniel and Pamella DeVos Center for Interprofessional Health in Grand Rapids, MI. It’s a celebration of innovation, product development, software design, and the future of tech—all packed into one energizing day hosted by SoftwareGR.
As a proud sponsor of this year’s event, BizStream is excited to contribute to a community that shares our passion for building forward-thinking digital products. And we’re not just sponsoring—we’re speaking, too.
Time: 9:55 AM – 10:40 AM
In the world of software, products and systems don’t just remain static—they evolve, accumulate technical debt, and sometimes become an unmanageable mess of outdated frameworks, workarounds, and fragile dependencies. When dealing with a 15-year-old platform, the question isn’t just how to modernize but what to modernize.
Should you refactor piece by piece or completely rebuild? What about adding that new feature your Product Owner wants? The answer isn’t always obvious.
This session explores how blending product thinking with software modernization leads to better outcomes. Brian and Dave will walk through the lens of long-term product strategy, user needs, and business value—backed by real-world lessons from BizStream’s own SaaS platform, YouthCenter.
YouthCenter is a case study in modernizing a complex, decade-old system. You’ll learn how BizStream approached modernization not as a one-time rewrite but as a product-driven evolution, balancing technical constraints with customer expectations.
By shifting the focus from rewriting old code to delivering ongoing value, development teams can avoid the rebuild trap. Instead, they can embrace an iterative approach that promotes longevity, adaptability, and sustainability.
Whether you’re currently leading a legacy transformation or trying to avoid one in the future, this talk will showcase smart modernization decisions that don’t require hitting pause on the business.
As a Kentico, Kontent.ai, and Microsoft Azure MVP, Brian is a recognized leader in software architecture, digital marketing, and cloud solutions. With 22 years at BizStream and a hundred clients across North America, Brian shares his expertise regularly on Mcbeev.com and his podcast, Kontent Rocks.
Dave brings a unique perspective to software development with a background in film production and years of leadership in SaaS product strategy. He’s the driving force behind YouthCenter, a BizStream product that continues to evolve through thoughtful, product-first planning.
Merge is more than a tech event—it’s a space for connection, inspiration, and actionable insight. Whether you’re attending to learn, network, or recharge your creative energy, you’ll find Merge is worth every minute.
Register today at merge.softwaregr.org
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