The Role Of Maintenance And Support In Software Implementation

Software implementation is the first big step towards digitisation. The process of optimising your business with new software doesn’t end after the software is delivered and installed. Software maintenance and support are necessary for developing a strong software system that the business can use to its full potential. Keep reading to discover the role of maintenance and support in software implementation.

If you’re considering a new software solution, then understanding the maintenance and support systems that come with it is an essential consideration. Part of your adjudication process when selecting software is to make sure that the support phase is covered and that support is handled by industry professionals.

Below, we cover the important role of maintenance and support in software implementation.

Why Maintenance and Support are so Important

Here are some of the main reasons why you should factor maintenance and support into your decision when choosing a new software solution.

Keeps Your Software Relevant

Software maintenance involves regular updates to the software, whether they be legislative or enhancements to the system and the odd bug fixes, that keep it relevant and functioning at an optimal level.

A maintenance contract with your software provider gives you peace of mind that the software solution is covered in the event of changes and fixes as and when required. 

Fixes Bugs

Even the most advanced software systems can contain bugs or errors that occur on occasion. Having a robust maintenance system is necessary to fix these bugs.

Maintenance and support give you peace of mind in case any issues like this arise. Just like a warranty with a regular physical product, software vendors also keep you covered to protect you against bugs and software problems.

Constant Adapting

Software is one of the fastest evolving components of any business. Your business needs to be consistently taking advantage of the best possible software solutions to meet its ever-growing demands.

With regular maintenance and updates, your software will stay up-to-date and in line with current trends. This results in a more efficient and reliable software solution for your business.

Enhances Outdated Functions

A good software maintenance program will improve outdated functions and bring them up to speed with the latest technologies.

Maintenance doesn’t just keep your software operating at the same level over time. It will involve updates and improvements that enhance outdated features.

Types of Maintenance

Software maintenance comes in a couple of different forms. Here is a breakdown of the four main types of maintenance.

Corrective Maintenance and Support

Corrective maintenance focuses on finding defects in the software and fixing them. The support team identifies errors in the software before the user finds them and resolves these issues.

This is necessary for maintaining trust and keeping the software system operating efficiently.

Adaptive Maintenance and Support

Adaptive maintenance keeps the software up to date with evolving technologies and business needs. This type of maintenance is done in response to new operating systems, platforms, and hardware. It aims to keep the software in line with evolving tech developments.

Adaptive maintenance covers service updates, modifications, and feature enhancements that are necessary when changes in the software environment take place.

Perfective Maintenance and Support

Perfective maintenance enhances the software system to improve the way it functions. This form of maintenance is all about modifying the software elements, functionalities, and abilities to enhance the way the system performs.

Perfective maintenance is a continuous process of adding new features, updating old ones, and removing redundant features in the software.

Preventative Maintenance and Support

Preventative maintenance and support is a long-term approach. It focuses on ensuring that the software adapts to new changes well so that it functions optimally in the long run.

This type of maintenance helps keep the software stable through updates and upgrades. It also involves identifying and fixing small issues that may become bigger problems over time.

Final Thoughts

Before implementing a new software solution, always ensure that you’re partnering with a software company that offers maintenance and support. This is necessary for making sure that your new software continually performs at its best so that your business can enjoy optimal Return on Investment.

At RIB CCS, our systems have evolved over 40 years to constantly meet the changing needs of the construction and engineering industries. We offer full training on our solutions and provide 24/7 support to ensure you get the most out of your software implementation.