On this episode of IT Infrastructure as a Conversation, I explore a fresh approach to one of the oldest headaches in enterprise IT: migrating legacy databases without breaking everything.

My guest is Jacek Migdał, co-founder and CEO of Quesma, a startup tackling the messy reality of old data stacks, rigid licensing, and costly, high-risk migration projects. Jacek shares how Quesma’s database gateway acts as a smart proxy, allowing companies to switch data stacks gradually, test changes safely, and avoid the dreaded “big bang” migration that so often fails.

We unpack how Quesma blends pragmatic engineering with AI-driven automation, from SQL extensions that enrich data inside the database to “smart charts” that generate meaningful visualizations without complex BI tools. Jacek also explains why even modern industries like telecom and travel still wrestle with legacy systems and how a flexible, proxy-based approach keeps critical operations online while modernising behind the scenes.

If your team is wrestling with outdated data infrastructure but cannot afford downtime, you will want to hear how Quesma turns risky transitions into manageable, incremental improvements.

This is a candid look at the reality behind today’s data stack promises and a reminder that when it comes to enterprise infrastructure, practical steps often beat grand plans.