One of the best solutions to this problem is to implement a specific app support strategy. Not only does this support help companies maintain older services, but it also helps ensure that new services and products deliver the best possible experience once they’ve launched.
What is Application Support?
While there’s a wide range of services within application support, some general purposes include:
- Ensuring applications are up-to-date, reliable, and secure
- Finding and fixing bugs and optimizing application performance
- Keeping apps functioning properly, while minimizing downtime
- Offloading work from internal teams to external resources
Effective application support partners help companies implement efficient maintenance strategies, allowing companies to stay ahead of their peers.
“This can be especially important in today’s fast-paced business environment, where being able to quickly adapt to changing market conditions can be a key competitive advantage,” Keenan Patel, CEO of PRI Solutions says.
Where Companies Go Wrong
It’s inevitable that companies with large IT teams want to create new services for their users, but the problem is when companies add more features and test new innovations, they sometimes overlook the maintenance of older systems and applications.
Here’s where companies often go wrong with app support:
- Not allocating enough resources to support older applications
- Updating applications infrequently, making them vulnerable to security threats
- Over-reliance on manual systems instead of automated systems
- Improper application documentation or configuration
- A lack of clear processes or prioritization of app maintenance
All of the above can cause critical issues with applications, resulting in dreaded downtime, which can be extremely costly. A survey conducted by Statista showed that one-quarter of large companies estimate their hourly server downtime to cost between $300,000 to $400,000.
That’s where a technology partner can help. Keenan says they “can identify and resolve technical issues in a timely manner, minimizing the impact on end-users and reducing downtime.”
And just as importantly, a good appl support partner can identify what areas need to be improved, suggest new features, and give usability feedback.
How Companies Can Utilize Application Support to Get Ahead
Some companies try to manage their app maintenance on their own, but most CEOs and IT managers know that outsourcing some of the most tedious tasks is a successful way to make organizations more efficient.
And it can be cost-effective too. Instead of recruiting and training staff on the latest technologies, IT leaders can hand off those tasks to app support maintenance specialists who are already equipped with the necessary training and tools to get the job done.
“In today’s fast-paced business environment, delays in resolving issues can be costly,” Keenan says. “This is why it’s critical for companies to have a support team that can respond quickly to requests for help. The faster the response time, the less impact an issue will have on the business.”
Interested in more information about application maintenance from PRI Solutions? Find out more here.
