Upgrade Considerations

As a long time Microsoft Dynamics partner and developer of Cargas Energy, Cargas has been upgrading existing business systems for over twenty years. With nearly one thousand successful upgrades under our belts we have learned several time-honored Do’s and Dont’s. We have also detected some general misperceptions relating to major software upgrades.

A major upgrade to your existing business system is not the same as the Microsoft Windows update you run on your computer. It’s not the same as an update to an application on your SmartPhone. It also differs from applying a service pack to your business system. A major upgrade of your business system typically consists of upgrading from one version to another (e.g. Version 1.0 to Version 2.0) or upgrading multiple versions at one time (e.g. Version 1.0 to Version 3.0). A major upgrade typically includes major and minor feature enhancements to your software, bug fixes, and potentially additional modules.

Our customers look to us for direction on the appropriate time to upgrade their systems. The “right time” is different for every company but there are key factors in determining the best timeframe and how long to wait in between upgrades. Here are some key points to evaluate when considering your next upgrade:

1. Features – Thoroughly review the list of feature enhancements and improvements in the latest version of the software you are considering upgrading to. If your company has recently upgraded and the list of new feature enhancements is not going to have a significant impact on your business then you may want to wait until a future release.
2. New Modules – Are there new modules included in the upgrade that will benefit your business? How critical or irrelevant are they to your success?
3. Timing – For many energy companies, seasonality and the timeframe you upgrade can have a major impact on your business operations and staff. To minimize interruption to your operations, be sure internal resources are available and aligned to manage the upgrade.
4. Frequency – One of the most important items to consider before upgrading is the timing of your last upgrade. At Cargas, we recommend that your company does not get more than two versions behind before upgrading. An upgrade consisting of jumping three versions will require additional investment, time, and resources.
5. Replace vs Upgrade – Software upgrades to a legacy system may seem less painful, expensive and timely than replacing your outdated system. In the long run, this could actually cost your company money and jeopardize your customer service. Lack of functionality, dissatisfied partnerships, high ongoing maintenance and upgrade fees are all indicators that it may be time to analyze a new solution.

Major software upgrades are an extension of your initial technology investment, both in time and dollars; therefore they require careful consideration before moving forward to ensure the timing and approach are right for your company. Request a free consultation if you are interested in more information or if you are evaluating new software.