Customers often ask “Why do I need to upgrade to a current version?” Many times, it is obvious because the current release of the software includes features that will help your organization. However, the features in a given release may not be compelling and it takes time and money to apply new releases. But it is still important to be on a supported version. Below are some details that should help you understand the value of being on a current version.
Why Are Retired Customers At Risk?
- When software versions are out of maintenance (retired) it means the publisher is no longer writing code for those versions – the code is “retired” and not available to the development team.
- If there is an “issue” with a retired version of your software, fixes can’t be created since the code is retired.
- Issues can be the result of updates to the server’s operating system (OS), the framework, or any underlying software that may have a required update.
- When Microsoft, or other vendors, release updates that address system/software vulnerabilities, customers should install them to ensure the most secure environment. Publishers also install these for all systems in their environments, especially the SaaS environments, which is also required for SOC1 compliance.
- Installing these updates presents the possibility of negatively impacting software, and possibly underlying customizations. While not a substantial risk, it is a risk nonetheless that has caused issues in the past and has rendered some systems to be down.
- If a retired version of software is negatively impacted, possibly even becoming inoperable, no patch can be created since the code-base is retired and not available to the development team.
- You could have an impaired or down system, and the only remedy at that point is for you to do an emergency upgrade – something we all wish to avoid. We have been involved in these several times and they are very tense and uncomfortable situations that can and should be avoided.
- Support for retired systems, if available at all, is typically offered at premium rates; extra costs you want to avoid.
