Software Retirement
Knowing when to retire your software is just as important as knowing when to purchase it. Although it is important that you know what updates are available and whether you really need them, it is equally important to know when it is time to get rid of the old and bring on the new. The money you save can be reinvested in either purchasing new programs or developing your own.
Old software can be costly to maintain and may not continue to work well with newer applications. Similarly, you can offset the cost of upgrading by eliminating the cost of maintaining the old, and by improving workflow. You may also find that a large, costly application is really only being used by a few people in your company. Older applications may also be slowing down your entire network. It’s smart, therefore, to look for alternatives that may be less expensive and can aid more employees in your workforce.
Periodically review your software asset investments with the following in mind:
Are you saving money by sticking with a proven but older product, or are you wasting money with constant maintenance and upgrades? Often the software reseller or even the manufacturer itself will discontinue its support of your product.
Are you licensed for newer editions that could be deployed? Would such an update improve productivity or reduce support costs?
Would your return on investment (ROI) be improved by purchasing a new product?
Analyze the options to make sure you obtain the right software.
Establish standards for all phases of the software life cycle:
