Software application maintenance allows you to work on strategic and money-making activities instead of spending time maintaining and improving your systems.
Whilst it is essential to develop robust, secure and innovative software applications in the first instance, these applications need to be looked after properly in order for you to sustain your hard won competitive advantage (and also so you can sleep peacefully at night, knowing someone has your back!)
What are application maintenance services?
Many businesses find that they don’t have the time or skill to manage all of their IT needs (particularly software application development and maintenance needs). This can be for a variety of different reasons. The shortage of skilled technology professionals has contributed to gaps throughout Australia. And many companies simply don’t have the budget or inclination to hire more Information Technology staff.
For some businesses, it makes little sense to use their in-house IT team for maintenance activities. Companies are ruthlessly competing to offer innovative solutions for clients and partners. Internal IT resources are often “spread too thin” and are caught up in “fighting fires”, and unfortunately cannot find the headspace to work on the important (but not urgent) system enhancements that would help propel the business to the next level.
The benefits of application maintenance support services
There are numerous benefits of outsourcing software application maintenance services to a reputable company, for businesses both large and small. These include:
Increasing competitiveness
Most small and medium businesses simply can’t achieve the same in-house application support services that larger businesses can afford. By outsourcing your existing application for maintenance, you can have access to similar expertise and technology. This can increase your competitive edge over other companies in your industry.
Reducing your risk
Every investment into your business carries some level of risk. By outsourcing your maintenance services, the provider will assume and manage some of this risk instead. The provider will have specific industry knowledge (particularly compliance and security issues) to get rid from bug fixes. This means that they’re usually more qualified to make decisions about avoiding risk.
Quickly implementing technology
When you do want to start a new project or offer a new product or service, you’ll often want to move quickly. An top notch application maintenance support provider already knows your business and can begin new projects immediately. If you handle the same project in-house, it may take you weeks to hire new IT staff, train them, and get the up to date on the project specifications.
Controlling your IT costs
When you choose to outsource your maintenance services, you’ll know exactly how much you’ll be spending each month for maintenance costs. This allows you to budget effectively and understand how much more you’ll spend as you scale. With larger enhancements, you can ask for a fixed price quotation for support costs and time frame.
Reducing labour Costs
Businesses using maintenance services are able to focus human resources where they need them. It often makes little sense for small businesses to have a dedicated application maintenance team (consisting of business analysts, project managers, senior software engineers, user experience staff, and QA testers), and for larger businesses, IT professionals are better used for more important tasks.
Keeping attention where you need it
You’re probably already well aware of the fact that you have limited resources. By choosing application maintenance services, your team will stay focused on the core responsibilities. Smart business process is all about keeping your eye on the ball, so it makes little sense to get distracted by complicated IT decisions.
Grow your business with application maintenance services
As you can see, software application maintenance services can help your business grow in a variety of ways. However, it’s important to choose a reputable applications management provider with good user support and cost effective approach. Here’s how to tell if an application maintenance support provider is a good choice for your business:
Can they provide you with testimonials and references?
There’s a reason why most people choose products and services that have been recommended to them based on good customer experience. Ask if the maintenance services provider can provide you previously maintained application portfolio lists with some references.
If you choose to speak with some of them, here are a few questions to ask for your business requires as below before service level agreement:
- Did they deliver what was promised?
- Were they responsive?
- Did they stay within budget?
- Would you use them in the future?
What levels of support do they offer?
Most software application maintenance services companies will offer a few different options. This allows you to choose a application support level that fits both your budget and your requirements.
Here are some of the options:
- Pay-as-you-go. This is when you’re paying either a fixed price or hourly rate. This can be a more expensive option, depending on what is included
- Break-fix support. This can be charged hourly, and it means you can immediately contact the provider in the event that you have an issue with your IT systems instead paying for long term like either monthly or quarterly charges
- Managed service support. This is when the provider is actively managing all your systems. This reduces the chance of having any issues in the first place, since they’re continually checking your systems and application performances.
What are their response times?
A good application maintenance support company will have a short response time. That means that as soon as you contact them, they’ll be fixing any issues and getting you back online ASAP.
How and when can you get in touch?
When you have a problem, the last thing you’ll need is to be passed from person to person as you explain the issue. Ideally, the provider will have a support team like dedicated helpline or email address that you can use to immediately get in touch with someone who can help to correct faults.
Are you looking for a reliable and experienced application maintenance support service provider for enterprise app development and maintenance? Get in touch today to learn how.
