Hiding in plain sight: you may already have the answer to your under-performing software.
Avoid the cost and disruption of a software overhaul by unleashing the true potential of the systems you already have.
We often like the idea of new IT systems for our businesses: a software launch can promise all kinds of solutions to make everyday tasks simpler, faster, and generally more efficient.
But the reality is that replacing existing systems can be disruptive to staff, risky and expensive. What’s more, after all that upheaval, it is not always the panacea that we thought it would be.
In truth, the answer to a company’s IT problems could already be right under their noses.
Consider this: the average business uses just 15% of a software’s capabilities. What could that other 85% be doing for you?
Future-proof databases
We have seen many clients who have heavily invested in a Microsoft Access database but are unsure how to use it in order to take advantage of advances in mobile working.
Often at this point, businesses would look to new software to remedy these issues, however, we are confident that existing database systems can be modified to more than meet the opportunities in mobile technology.
We believe there are three compelling reasons to stick with existing database software and make it work better, all thanks to a number of key moves by Microsoft which could benefit businesses looking to enhance their existing IT systems.
Firstly, for businesses which depend heavily on the Microsoft Access database system, it is worth knowing that Microsoft is clearly investing in this programme, and should continue to support Access for some time into the future.
Secondly, for the many businesses which need mobile access to Windows 10 office systems, another important development is Microsoft’s decision to deliver an operating system that allows the same programs to run on PCs, tablets and mobile phones.
Microsoft Goes Open Source
Finally, another key strategy by Microsoft, and one which has got IT people like us excited, is its decision to make some of their proprietary programmes “open-source”.
These proprietary programmes are the bits of software we need to make our own software work on a particular operating system.
At the moment we can only do this on Windows, but in time, through the work of others our software should be able to work on any operating system.
The process has already started and means that programmes we write now should be able to operate on non-Microsoft devices such as iPads, iPhones and Android devices in the future.
In practice, this will not be a robust reality for 3-5 years but, in the context of a software life cycle of 10 to 20 years (yes, we have software still operating after 25 years), it is something that is reassuring to us and our customers.
In short, these developments by Microsoft are great news for businesses who have already ploughed a lot of finances and resources into installing a database system and want to avoid unnecessary investment in new software.
If you find yourself with an Access database and are wondering how to move forward to make your system future-proof, please get in touch. Contact Us