Should You Use Older Versions of Enterprise Software Programs? (Answer: Not Really…..)

What kind ofsoftware applications do you use in your company?

Operating systems?

Accounting software?

CRM platforms?

ERP platforms?

Data analytics products?

Business intelligence products?

To be honest, your answer doesn’t really matter. Every company in every industry uses some kind of software to run operations, streamline processes, engage with customers, and maintain a competitive posture. What really matters is if you are using older versions of one or more software products.

As a reseller of world-class software applications, Prime Infotech firmly believes that upgrading to the latest version of software is almost always desirable. However, there are some benefits of using older versions of software as well. In this short article, we’ll explore these benefits. Then we’ll show you why the drawbacks outweigh these benefits and why you should consider updating your applications sooner rather than later.

Benefit #1: Save money

Some enterprise applications come with free upgrades. But many don’t. If you have a very limited software budget or don’t want to spend too much on a new or updated application, you may want to stick to an older version. This is because the older version may be more affordable compared to the latest versions, as it may have lower maintenance or support fees. Also, with a new or updated software, there will be some upfront costs, which you can avoid with an existing software.

Benefit #2: Stable product

Products that have been on the market for a long time have often undergone multiple updates and bug fixes. As a result, they are less prone to issues and less likely to glitch or hang. Such stability differentiates them from newer versions that may still be in the early stages of development and therefore likely to cause operational issues.

Benefit #3: User familiarity

Resistance to change is a common issue in many organisations. Your employees have likely used a particular product for a while, so they are used to its interface, functionality, and features. Upgrading to a new software may involve a steep learning curve that makes them uncomfortable or require extensive retraining and upskilling. There is no learning curve with an existing product, so continuing to use it can help maintain productivity levels.

So those are the three benefits of using older versions of software.

But here’s the thing – the drawbacks of sticking to older software far outweigh the benefits. Let’s explore these drawbacks in the next section.

The Drawbacks of Using Older Software

You may save money with older software and benefit from its stability and performance. You may also appreciate that your employees are familiar with it so you don’t have to spend time or money on training programs.

However, older products also create numerous problems in enterprise settings:

• They may lack the latest features and functionalities that are only available in the newer versions. Your company may benefit from these features so you can’t afford to have a “we’ll live without them” attitude.
• They may not receive regular security patches, which can make them vulnerable to many kinds of cyberattacks (including data breaches).
• They may not comply with industry standards or national/international regulations, which may be crucial if your company operates in a regulated industry or a particular country (e.g., USA -> healthcare).
• Vendors often stop supporting and maintaining outdated products, so you may not get the technical assistance or customer support you need as you continue using the product.
• Potential compatibility issues with newer hardware or software can affect employee productivity and disrupt their workflows.

We have a more in-depth article exploring these drawbacks in detail. Click here to access it.

Wrap-up

Many companies continue to use older versions of software because of its perceived benefits, such as cost savings, stability, and familiarity. However, the cons far outweigh these pros, so in the long run, you may end up sacrificing performance, security, and compliance in favour of these short-term benefits. That’s why it’s vital to understand both the pros and cons before deciding that sticking with the status quo is the best option.