Time to Update Your Software?

Time to Update Your Software?

Before we go any further, let’s first define app so we’re all on the same page.

According to the Cambridge Dictionary, app means: abbreviation for application: a computer program that is designed for a particular purpose; a computer program or piece of software designed for a particular purpose that you can download onto a mobile phone or other mobile device.

Apps aren’t meant to last forever or even be relevant for all time. They meet a particular need, or set of needs, for a given period. Eventually, they need to be upgraded or changed. 

The million-dollar question is—how do you know when it’s time to upgrade your apps?

Signs that It’s Time to Update Your App

Five-year Itch

“If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” shouldn’t apply to your apps. Why? Because after five years, it’s hard to support or upgrade your apps.

If you turn a blind eye or procrastinate your upgrades, you’re putting yourself in a very vulnerable position. You’re leaving yourself open to being taken advantage of by a developer who won’t have your best interests at heart. Or, if for some reason your developer is no longer available, you’re left “holding the bag” of ancient software that you’ll have to pay through the nose to get updated. 

So don’t skimp on this, eventually the app that your employees and clients use will break down. And when they do, it’s costly for your business. 

Inefficient Processes

Do you find that your employees are having to type in the same piece of information more than once to different sections of the software you use?

Or something is being handled several times either by one person or more than one person?

Or you’re running reports in five different places in order to gather the information you need to make decisions? 

This is another clue that it’s time to update your apps.

Competitive Industry

Out-of-the-box app solutions are great for most people. They understand the limitations and they find a way to work around them.

But if you’re in a competitive industry, having a custom-built app solution that meets all your needs can give you a competitive advantage. It can speed things up, provide deeper, more detailed data, generate reports and information specific to different needs and departments, reduce duplication of tasks…the list goes on.

In the end, having an app that is customized to the needs of your organization can help your business run more efficiently and lighten the load of your employees.

Which is More Important to Fix First? Employee or Customer-facing apps?

If you’re on a budget, how do you determine which to upgrade first—your internal apps or customer-facing apps?

We recommend customer-facing first for one very good reason.

Your customers are constantly seeing new apps, new websites, new this and new that…They’re comparing what you offer to what’s already out there. All. The. Time.

For that reason, you don’t want an outdated app.

The only exception to this rule would be if your internal software is making it difficult to deliver great customer service and is hurting your sales. But if your internal software is working, it’s not as critical to do first.

The main take-away is to consider how it impacts your customers and decide from there.

Have App Questions?

We’re a 100% U.S.-based digital agency. Shoot us your questions at hello@thebigpixel.net.

Based on an excerpt from our BIZ/DEV podcast, Episode 52.