John Graham – STRATEGIC Information Group

Planning for a QAD UpgradeMWUG Spring 2014

Itasca, IL

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Considerations

Planning

Execution

Follow-up

Questions

Considerations

• Technical vs Operational (Scope)• Budget• Resource availability• Supportability of existing version and infrastructure• Hosting options• Timing

Technical or Operational• What is the scope of the upgrade• Are upgrading to receive new functionality• Does the new functionality happen in phase 1 or phase 2• Customizations

Budget

• Are there budget or resource constraints• This may impact scope or phasing• May not know full impact until plan is

completed and adjustments may be needed either in scope or budget

Resource Availability

• Internal– Technical– Operations– Finance– Quality

• External

Supportability

• Version lifecycle• OS Support• Hardware Support• Customizations

Version Availability  Version Generally

AvailableFunctionally

Stable Mature Retired Archived

QAD 2011 Enterprise

EditionMar. 2011 Mar. 2013 Mar. 2014 Sept.

2015*** tbd

QAD 2010.1 Enterprise

EditionSept. 2010 Sept. 2012 Sept. 2013 Mar.

2015*** tbd

QAD 2010 Enterprise

EditionMar. 2010 Mar. 2012 Mar. 2013 Sept.

2014*** tbd

QAD 2009.1 Enterprise

EditionSept. 2009 Sept. 2011 Sept. 2012 Mar.

2014*** tbd

QAD 2009 Enterprise

EditionMar. 2009 Mar. 2011 Mar. 2012 Sept.

2013*** tbd

QAD 2013 Standard Edition

(eB2.1)*X Dec. 2015 Dec. 2016 Dec.

2017*** Dec. 2018

Phase Definitions

Phase Sales Enhancements and Translation

Technical  Support

Global Service Offering

Phase Transition Triggers

Maturity Sales are suspended.

No product enhancements or translations or certification.

Limited support.

Global Services offerings may be limited in availability.

When a numbered version transitions into Functional Stability.

Only general assistance; includes existing Service Packs.

Retirement Sales are suspended.

No product enhancements or translations or certification.

Support for specified time period only; support surcharge may apply.

Global Services are limited and may be costly.

When a numbered version transitions into Maturity.

Archived

Code and documentation is archived to backup systems.

Not available.

Available only at QAD’s discretion on a quote basis.

Available only at QAD’s discretion on a quote basis.

Not applicable.

Hosting Options

• Cloud• Hosted• On Premise

Timing

• Fiscal calendar• Vacations• Business Events

– Product Launches– Acquisitions– Relocations– Others

Planning

• Project plan • Resource allocation• Communications• Executive Sponsorship• Timeline

Project Plan

• Maintain Scope• Adjust plan for resources• Adjust plan for budget• Adjust plan for time

constraints• Get expert help if this is

new to your team

Resource Allocation

• Executive sponsorship• Avoid distractions• Everyone knows the plan and their role

Communications

• Everyone knows the plan• Everyone knows their role• Importance is communicated by Executive

Sponsor• Kickoff Event• Milestones

Executive Sponsorship

• Lets everyone know importance

• Avoids distractions

Timing

• Avoid major events when possible• Be realistic on timeframe• Adjust as needed if possible

Execution

• Follow the Plan• Manage the Scope• Manage the Resources• Weekly plan to actual• Adapt as needed• Communications

Follow-up

• Daily then Weekly• First month end process• 3 month checkup• Follow on training or projects identified

Summary• Define project driver• Get executive sponsorship• Understand scope• Understand resource constraints

– Budget– Internal– External– Timeline

• Develop plan the meets both• Communicate plan• Execute• Follow-up

Questions