Is it Time to Update Your Old Software?

How do I know it’s time to update my old software?

What signs should you look for if you think it might be time to update your old software?  The growth of new technology is happening so fast, that some businesses are finding it hard to keep up. We’ve had many potential clients ask us, ‘do you think I should update my old software?’

To answer that question, we put together some things you should look out for if you think your software might be coming to the end of its life, and what you can do about it.

Technology is no longer supported

If the technology you’ve been using for years is no longer supported, then it’s certainly time to upgrade. An example of an end-of-life product would be Windows Vista. Microsoft no longer supports Vista, and therefore anyone using it would need to make the switch to something newer and functional. The same goes with software. If you’re using an outdated technology, you’re likely missing out on much-needed features.

Not growing with the business

For business owners, this is both a good and bad thing. You started with a small business, just a few employees, then in a few years, you’ve outgrown the capabilities of your old software. 

It’s important that your software scales with your business. When you increase the usage of your technology, you will find yourself constantly adding more storage and needing more features, and your software may not be able to handle it.

Competition is Winning

If you’ve noticed clients leaving for your competitors, maybe it’s time to look at your technology. Are the clients leaving because your competition has better tech? Is their product easier to use? Does it look better than yours? These are all valid reasons that clients would choose one company over the next. It’s also a great reason to suspect that it’s time to upgrade your old software.

Business is stagnant

Business has been good, but not great.  You are closing new deals, but there are slight declines year er year. You’re seeing and hearing buzz in the market, but you aren’t part of it.  This may be an indication that it is time to conduct market and user research and testing to address how well your current product fits into the market.

Things to consider when rebuilding your software product

Good User Experience Design

When you rebuild your old software, keep in mind that you are building for a new generation of consumers. We recommend doing thorough market and user research and go through a deep-dive solution design with your software partner to be sure you’re creating an end-product that your users will be happy with.

Choosing a software partner

If your company doesn’t have a full-scale software team in place, you have two options. The first option is to supplement the software team you do have.  The second option, if to look for a software partner with an in-house development team. It’s important to find the right partner when starting a new software project, so be sure you look closely at all your options.

If you’re seeing the signs that it may be time to retire your old software, we can help. SOLTECH has rebuilt, updated, and created brand new software for nearly 20 years, and we’d love to help you, too.

Every business is unique, so you shouldn’t have to settle for a standard solution.  If you’re curious to know more or would just like to understand a little more about our process and how we’ve helped hundreds of others just like you, feel free to reach out!

Choosing a software partner is a big deal. Check out this free eBook on what to look for in a development firm.