The expert named the signs of the need to replace the corporate software

Frequent failures, termination of developer support, and increased maintenance costs may indicate the need to replace existing software. However, in some cases, upgrading an existing system turns out to be a more effective solution. Alexander Klimeshov, director of the Center for Industry expertise at LANSOFT IT holding, told Izvestia about this on October 30.

According to the expert, the assessment should begin with the technical condition of the system. Important criteria are job stability, performance with increasing workload, and developer support.

If failures and critical errors regularly interfere with business processes, it is necessary to identify their causes and understand whether the problems can be fixed within the framework of the current system. Performance degradation also requires analysis.: it may be related to architecture, infrastructure, or software settings.

When escorts become too expensive

Separately, Klimeshov recommends estimating the cost of software support. The calculation should include the costs of licenses, server capacities, the work of full-time specialists and external contractors.

A steady increase in costs can be an alarming signal, especially if a significant part of the budget is spent on bug fixes and compatibility, rather than on system development.

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An important criterion is the ability of the system to support the company's development. If launching online sales, CRM integration, or real-time analytics require complex workarounds and manual data migration, this may indicate software limitations.

Dependence on the developer becomes an additional problem. If any changes require his participation, the company may lose time when connecting new channels of interaction with customers and partners.

At the same time, according to Klimeshov, it is not always necessary to completely change the system. If the main components are working stably, the product continues to be maintained, and the limitations can be eliminated without extensive processing, it is more appropriate to consider refinement. For example, instead of replacing the accounting system, you can implement a separate analytical module or connect a mobile application for employees.

When is it more profitable to replace the system?

The high cost of migration may also be in favor of modernization. Data migration, employee training, possible downtime, and the risk of information loss can significantly increase transition costs. The process becomes especially difficult if the business logic is deeply embedded in existing software and migration will require a review of existing processes.

However, when comparing options, it is important to consider not only the cost of buying a new system or upgrading it. It is necessary to estimate the total costs for several years, including implementation, integration, maintenance, future updates and possible downtime.

According to him, the decision to replace or refine the software should be based on both technical and economic indicators. If the system remains reliable, is supported by the developer and allows you to develop the necessary functions without disproportionate costs, its modernization may be more profitable than the introduction of a new product.