Are you running geriatric software? Is your current software system old, archaic and keeping your business from flourishing in a competitive world?  Is it no longer fit for purpose?  With new software brought to the market on a regular basis, businesses that cling on to older versions can potentially face operational inefficiencies and security issues which in the longer term can also have a serious, more far reaching impact on their bottom line.  So why would a business’s current software be a barrier to growth and what can be done to build a case for change?

There are many symptoms that indicate your software is not operating effectively from the obvious performance issues such as running too slowly or being prone to failure, to an overstretched IT department being inundated with requests for bug fixes and changes to underlying functionality. Business software cycles have also become ever shorter over the last decade due to the exponential rise of cloud computing and increased mobility.

One of the biggest risks of running older technology is security.  There is an escapable link between obsolete software and vulnerability.  Having outdated software is akin to leaving the front door open for any hacker to have a field day.  All they need is one weak spot to penetrate your systems and wreak havoc on your business. This is particularly true when a manufacturer is no longer actively maintaining support.  If your software isn’t up to date, your business is at risk of a major security breach.

Software rot can also take place or rather a slow deterioration in software performance and reduced responsiveness which can lead to software being faulty, unusable and in need of upgrade. There are also legal and regulatory compliance risks with the potential for fines if software is unsupported.  Businesses that cling onto what they consider to be ‘old and trusted’ software and operating systems because they are simply good enough and work fine are unsustainable in the long run.

So you have identified that your current systems are no longer fit for purpose what will new software bring to your business?  There are the obvious cost savings as well as a host of non-financial benefits including greater access to information, improved flexibility and control, better staff engagement and increased productivity.

Updated software will give your business an advantage over your competition, particularly as your business grows.   It will enable you to have greater access to information, eliminate redundant processes and communicate more effectively with customers, suppliers or partners.

Ultimately it’s imperative that businesses evaluate older and outdated software.  It may be expensive to replace but it far outweighs the cost of retaining an antiquated piece of software that is inefficient and ripe for a cyber-attack.