This article shares the lessons we’ve learned to ensure successful JD Edwards upgrade projects so you don’t have to learn the hard way. It is the third in a four-part series by Richard Garraputa, resident JDE expert at Corning Data.
In Lesson One we talked about the importance of designing your project to fully deploy all upgrade features. In Lesson Two, we discussed teaching end users solutions to problems, rather than just showing them the technical tools. Lesson Three will demonstrate just how much easier your system maintenance can be when you stay current with smaller upgrades.
JD Edwards Upgrade Project Lesson Three: Get Code-Current Frequently
Stop scheduling your upgrades as huge projects every five years. Start planning for smaller, “get current” projects as frequently as once a year. Take advantage of the new Simplified Upgrade Process for smaller upgrade projects. Deploying inter-release features and functionality on a regular basis will save you time. Denver is releasing functionality in smaller, easier to consume updates between major releases. JD Edwards 9.2 has been out for over a year. The release of UX One after the .2 release demonstrates this approach to releasing major functionality on a regular basis.
Close your eyes now … Think of your workplace running and business humming without a major upgrade project every five years. Imagine, if you will, small upgrades at regular intervals that add in fixes and features without a major learning curve. Nice, right? You wouldn’t dream of maintaining your business equipment only every five years. You wouldn’t maintain employee certifications at such low frequency. Your business software runs your business; maintain it!
Next week, Lesson Four will discuss how crucial expert planning and guidance is to the success of your implementation
Richard Garraputa is a Corning Data enterprise software evangelist with more than 20 years experience in helping drive real business benefits from improved processes and use of technology. He helps clients grow their top line revenues, reduce costs through more efficient and effective operations, and become more competitive through improved processes.
