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IFS (Industrial and Financial Systems), the global applications company is a leading provider of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), Enterprise Asset Management (EAM) and Field Service Management (FSM) software. IFS suites work by leveraging their core technology - IFS Applications. The company provides periodic updates and patches that add multiple functionalities and features that help you get more out of your system.
Like any other prominent software provider, IFS releases incremental developments that update their suite with better security, better UI, additional features, etc. to stay relevant in the market. However, many companies choose to ignore these updates, and carry on using the older versions of IFS Applications with limited functionalities. Why? Sometimes, they think it might be complicated and change their day-to-day operations. Other times, they might just balk at the cost of an upgrade as a small or medium sized business.
If you’re one of those companies, you might want to reconsider your opinion. In this article, we will look at various scenarios where you need to upgrade, and the value in upgrading.
When Your IFS Applications Need An Upgrade
As companies spend time debating the expenses incurred in an upgrade, they might overlook vital advantages that the updated software provides. Depending on the version you currently use, you might face one or many of these issues.
1. Lack of mobility: In today’s digital age, managing your enterprise software without mobility can be a pain. Especially if your business has on-field workers or has multiple moving components within the business. The ability to access your IFS suite from your mobile device on the go helps you better manage your expense claims, provides better time management by cutting out mundane time-consuming form-fill up tasks, have real-time traceability on your assets and workers, etc.
While, older IFS versions might not have the capability, IFS Applications 10, for example, leverages the latest in mobile technology using IFS Aurena, an AI powered bot that allows you to access IFS from any browser like Chrome or Safari.
2. Missing Standard Features: At the rate which technology is developing, features that are state-of-the-art today, might be just standard tomorrow. Depending on how far behind you are on upgrades, you might be missing out all the latest technologies like the Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), etc. that are a standard in the suite now.
3. Compliance: Just as technology moves on with time, various regional, national and international laws and regulations also change over time. For example, 2018’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) regulation has seen ERP vendors add various new functionalities to help their clients remain compliant. If you’re using an older version, you might not be compliant with the latest regulations and be at risk of huge fines and lawsuits as a result.
4. Receding Vendor support- Many of you might be aware of how Apple stops supporting its older model iPhones every year, when a newer model releases. Much in the same way, enterprise software developers can also keep supporting older versions to a point. Every vendor wants to keep developing and integrating the latest versions, and you have to keep up with it if you want the best ROI on your software investment.
Benefits of Upgrading Your IFS Applications
IFS is a modular, cloud-based software suite which offers an extensive list of functionalities with every upgrade that helps it remain agile. Some of the benefits of upgrading your IFS Applications are:
1. You get access to the latest technologies added to core IFS systems
2. Every upgrade increases performance at various stages in the chain of delivery
3. Increased productivity from staff and software as many customized features often come as standard in updated versions
4. Better integration capabilities with each update, to help you run your systems more effectively and seamlessly
How Can ProV Help You Upgrade Your IFS Applications?
ProV is a multiple award-winning partner for IFS products and services that helps simplify the implementation, integration, update, or customization of your software when you need it most. Our custom-built upgrade plans for businesses like yours cover all aspects of your upgrade, ensure smooth change management for optimal adoption, and all the support along the way. We cover all phases of an upgrade including:
* Planning/Initiation Phase
* Design/Confirm Solution
* Implement Upgraded Software
* Verify Upgrade (Prepare for cut-over/Mock Go Live)
* Going-live and Post Go-live Support
Convinced about the need to upgrade your IFS Applications? Take our FREE Consultation today to get started!
