There was a period when we encountered several cases of companies in trouble with outdated software. These businesses face the risk of being left behind by competitors, as well as increased cost from productivity issues and hidden problems.
In one case, the software was built in-house by the company’s IT team. The source code is available but is based on an outdated programming platform, operating system and database. The original programmers have left the company, and the new IT team faces a huge challenge just to understand the algorithm, let alone upgrade it.
In another case, it was purchased software that had been used for about 10 years without any maintenance contract. The version in use is completely outdated and no longer supported.
Does this problem sound familiar? It is a typical problem that many companies face.
Look beyond the next few years
The company leadership team needs the foresight to see beyond the next few years when engaging a new technology, in order to prevent the situation above. Professional consultants can help advise the business, as they bring experience from other companies and other industries, known best practices and common pitfalls to avoid.
Planning a technology investment? Talk to us about technology selection and implementation, or contact us.