Written by Heather L. Cole, May 18th, 2023
Are you challenged to get the funding or resources to upgrade your IBM Planning Analytics? Maybe your team is too busy just keeping their heads above water with all the requested changes to your Planning or Budgeting models. Maybe IT says it’s not a priority… Today I’ll share 3 talking points to help you make upgrading a priority.
1. Lack of Support for outdated Versions -
The most important reason for upgrading your IBM Planning Analytic software with the latest version is that older versions are not supported by IBM. Like all software companies IBM only supports a specific number of versions. At some point they will announce that a version will be sunset which means they will no longer offer support for the old version. What this means is if you have an issue like the Log4G issue that presented itself in Dec 2021, they may require you to upgrade to resolve the issue or security risk.
You may be thinking, but we haven’t had to log a support ticket with IBM in years. What we find is disaster strikes, not because Planning Analytics had a bug, but rather because a client upgrades their SQL or other 3rd party software, and it breaks the connect with the old version of Planning Analytics.
Imagine this… You are in the middle of your budget cycle and Microsoft updates their software. But the new Microsoft update is not compatible with your version of IBM Planning Analytics and suddenly your Planning software is not working. End users start calling and emailing. After a little investigation you log a support case with IBM. Then you get the news, that the update from Microsoft is not compatible with your version of IBM Planning Analytics but since you are on an old unsupported version, IBM will not create the patch, and you must upgrade. All this in the middle of a budget cycle. How stressed would you feel? What would you do?
Well, this has happened to a client. The client was extremely stressed because the CEO, was apprised of the situation. They called Lodestar Solutions, in a panic. We were able to restore them to where they were before the update, but you could feel the panic.
Another client had the SSL Certificate expire 3 days before their budget cycle.
So, it happens, but you don’t want it to happen to you. So, if you are on an old version, reach out to us at Services@lodestarsolutions.com and let’s discuss your plan.
In order to see if you are on an old version of IBM Planning Analytics check out this link.
2. New Functionality will save you time!
Another reason you should upgrade your IBM Planning Analytics is that they are always releasing new functionality. IBM continuously adds functionality to the software. The functionality is based on what clients are asking for, so the enhancements are often game changing. But here’s the thing, if you don’t take time to learn what’s new you will continue to use the software the way you always have.
Imagine trading in your 2010 car and never using the auto breaking, blue tooth or airplay that comes with a modern car, because you didn’t bother to ask about the new functionality. Well, with software it happens more than we would like to admit. Clients upgrade and they never stop to explore the new features. But there is a simple resolution. Email Services@lodestarsolutions.com and we can discuss all the cool new stuff and share how our clients utilized the functionality. Here’s the link to a previous blog on the new functionality.
3. Keep Talented Team Members
Would you mow you ½ acre lawn with a weed eater? Probably not. You would want the right tool, a lawn mower for the task. Well top talent is the same way. Top analytics performers want the latest tools to perform their jobs. Keeping updated IBM Planning Analytics software and investing in their growth and learning will help you attract talent, keep it, and win the analytics race.
Call to Action
So, what are you waiting for? Take the first step. Open your IBM Planning Analytics and check your current version. Then click the link Life cycle to see if it’s supported. Next contact Lodestar Solutions to discuss the functionality you might not know exists in your current version. Email Services@lodestarsolutions.com.