The Benefits of Upgrading Your Company Software

With the quick pace of technology, it might seem as though there is a new software solution available every time you turn around. While this may be true, it can be overwhelming to keep up with releases, versions, legacy systems and more.

To this end, you might be wondering if it’s worth it to keep your software solutions as up-to-date as possible. After all, isn’t the old mantra “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” still true? The short answer is that to maintain legitimacy in a sea of tech-savvy competitors, it’s essential to operate the most seamless and high-performing systems you can. While it might cost you a little more time and money up front to secure these services, the ROI will be well worth it in the end, and here’s why.

Newer Versions are More Secure

The longer a software solution sits on the market, the more susceptible it is to bugs, hackers, data theft issues and more. That’s because today’s digital intruders are becoming increasingly smart and discreet with their means and motives and if they can dissect a solution for long enough, they can eventually uncover its vulnerabilities and attack. That means even a seemingly benign email could open up a host of issues with a single click. As such, it helps to have the most recent software version installed, if only to make sure that your team is staying one step ahead of any malintent.

While you could keep your outdated version as secure as possible by installing software patches and fixes provided by the vendor, keep in mind that every time a new version is released, those older “fixes” could be rendered obsolete. In this case, it’s worth safeguarding the integrity of your systems, and the workforce that operate them, by staying on track with timeline releases.

With every new model that is created, developers become more aware of how hackers are infiltrating the systems. As such, they can work to make the new version as strong as possible, helping to ensure that any previous holes or areas of weakness are addressed the next time around.

Sleeker Models Reduce Employee Downtime

If you’ve ever sat in on an all-hands meeting at work, you may have heard comments about a computer running too slowly, a program taking forever to load or a laptop that keeps crashing, no matter how many times it’s rebooted. If this is the case, you might need to upgrade your software. Consider how much valuable time your employees are wasting as they wait for their systems to load and how much money this is essentially costing your company in the meantime.

There is arguably nothing more frustrating than being tasked with a simple job that you know how to do, but without the means and tools with which to do it. From retail Point-of-Sale (POS) systems to sales team Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software, every industry has a critical technology solution they utilize to keep their teams up and running. When this central system goes obsolete, even your best employees are left scratching their heads, wondering what to do.

The simple fact is that a newer model computer complete with the latest industry software possible is quicker and more efficient than any other on the market. This results in your team members being able to complete their jobs in a more time-effective manner, improving your overall output. It also sends the message that the executive and IT teams are invested in every department, boosting morale and encouraging increased contribution. When employees know that their management department is actively investing both time and money in their abilities, it helps tremendously with the ever-important group motivation aspect.

User Feedback and Improvements are Incorporated

Often, software developers will take into account user feedback, reviews and comments before working on a new version release. They often gather this information through online forums, emailed surveys, social media posts and more. This means that many of the pain points your teams are feeling, which are likely shared by others, could be addressed in an updated model. A more recent version may also include new features that make work easier and more enjoyable.

In this sense, you can rest assured that by equipping them with the latest software required to perform their jobs, you’re helping your teams avoid frustration, achieve their desired outcomes in a more timely manner and save time. Previous versions could have also been riddled with both flaws and vulnerabilities, both of which should be addressed as the software sophisticates.

New Systems are More Cost-Effective Than Constant Fixes

Whether you have an in-house team that performs troubleshooting and maintenance or your pay for outsourced, managed IT services provided by a third party, the reality is that someone, somewhere is responsible for ensuring that your systems are running at top capacity.

If this team is constantly being asked to install patches, repair issues, diagnose a slow system, install temporary workarounds and more, you could be spending more than the software itself is worth. Though the initial cost might be a little more with a new version, you’ll soon realize those benefits if only from the lack of persistent nagging your IT team has to experience.

Weighing the Options: Old Versus New

Ultimately, deciding to install a new software version rather than repair and work with an older model is a company-by-company decision.

The key factor to remember when weighing your options is that while it might save money in the short-term to stick with an existing model, it might not be as effective, intuitive or cheap down the road. Moreover, your competitors have likely already made the upgrade. Taking that next step forward can help your company keep up and get noticed. So hold that meeting and conduct that analysis. Chances are, your research will point to the fact that you can’t afford not to keep your eyes on the future, especially where technology is concerned.