Paul Arlott

Since the use of content management systems (CMS's), client resource management (CRM) software and many other types of software started to be used on servers to run clients sites and management, we have struck the problems of who cares for them.  All types of software has to be updated or risk the loss of data for yourself or others, plus a myriad of other problems.

Some of the typical reasons why software has to be kept up-to-date:

• Upgrades introduce improvements and new features that continually increase your efficiency
• Upgrades address/correct bugs encountered in prior versions
• A CMS is just like any other piece of software, it needs to be kept up-to-date to make sure it is safe from any intrusions
• Every year, the CMS manufacturer is making hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of improvements to the CMS platform
• So you can enjoy the latest and greatest new features and upgrades to the admin area and front end of your website
• To keep up with server software security upgrades, so that your website software continues to function
• If you're running PHP software, that it is compatible with the latest version of PHP that your web host is running
• Keep up with the technologies of the latest social media integration

To avoid being stuck with obsolete versions of software you run that can cause vulnerabilities, and to prevent websites from breaking when web hosts conduct upgrades to their server software, it's imperative that a maintenance program of some sort is carried out on all software you have running on your web hosting account.  This should be carried out by someone who has knowledge of backing up databases & upgrading software.

Recently we did a software & hardware server upgrade.  Clients that had maintenance plans, IT departments or were vigilant in upgrading their software, came through it unscathed.  Unfortunately, there were many versions of software that were very outdated, some that hadn't been updated in 10years! These had a number of bugs that needed fixing.  The repair of these bugs in out-dated software is not the responsibility of your web host or designer, unless you have a maintenance plan in place.  The repair of these bugs can also run into high costs to restore systems.

So what is the solution? Update. Update. Update. Get a maintenance plan. Do it yourself. Either way it has to be done.  However, remember if you do it yourself & it doesn't go according to plan, you could be up for the same repair costs.

 If you decide that you want the chore taken out of your hands, check out our affordable Maintenance Plans.