1 Software that is not being progressed or maintained is, in effect, creeping backwards. The technology sector moves forward so quickly, software and systems you use can become obsolete very fast, or at the very least are just standing still. It’s important to update to maintain a current level of operation.

2 New releases and updates address changes in technology environments that surround the software you’re concerned with. As other software packages are upgraded, they may no longer integrate with yours (think email, operating systems, smartphones, calendars, spreadsheets, and so on).

3 Updates are usually centred around one or two key elements. But they also usually include rolled-up software patches which are essential to operation. When was the last time you looked at the ‘updates’ section of you smartphone app store? Most of those updates have some significant element at the top, then a list of ‘performance upgrades’, ‘security enhancements’ and ‘bug fixes’.

4 Almost every software company trains support, consulting and development teams on current versions. It’s costly to maintain knowledge and experience of older versions and software companies will often limit support and maintenance to a given timeframe. Eventually software is ‘retired’ or moved to a ‘sunset’ programme where it is no longer maintained or supported.

5 Older versions of software will eventually be retired. The most obvious example of this is Microsoft XP – retired in April 2014. Astoundingly, only a few months before, XP still ran approximately 37% of the world’s PCs. This constitutes a massive security risk. Without security updates, XP machines will represent an open season to hackers (the bad ones) looking to gain control of you machine and internet connection for spam attacks (i.e. They can send spam from your computer via your connection without you knowing).

6 Software maintenance fees pay for ongoing development which is done for the benefit of the end-user. In other words, you’re paying for people to make you software better all the time. So you may as well take it and reap the benefits. (They’re not doing it for fun and there are no conspiracy theories behind it).

Not just big ticket items

Up-to-date support for up-to-date software

Don’t get left behind

It’s not just your software that’s changing

Security

Get what you pay for

6 reasons to upgrade and update your software