PROCUREMENT 101

Automatic vs Planned: How to Prepare for Your Next Source-to-Pay Upgrade

Introduction

Upgrading your Source-to-Pay (S2P) system is a significant undertaking that can impact your procurement processes, supplier relationships, and overall operational efficiency. Whether you're upgrading to improve functionality, ensure compliance, or keep up with technological advancements, preparation is key.

One of the first decisions you'll face is understanding how your procurement software handles upgrades. Some platforms enforce an automatic upgrade schedule as part of their subscription model, while others require customers to plan and execute upgrades on their own time. Below, we'll walk through the differences in approaches and how Optis can support your organization.

Automatic Upgrades: What to Expect

With the fast-paced nature of the SaaS world, many S2P platforms operate on an automatic upgrade schedule. These platforms push new features, security patches, and improvements at regular intervals, often without user intervention.

How to Prepare for Automtic Upgrades

  • Stay Informed: Monitor release notes and upgrade notifications from your software provider so you're aware of upcoming changes and the impact to your business.
  • Train Users Regularly: Since upgrades are ongoing, it's important to have continuous training programs in place to keep your team familiar with new features.
  • Regression Testing: Verify that all existing integrations with ERPs and third-party systems continue to function correctly after the upgrade. Test critical touchpoints and workflows thoroughly to detect any issues and ensure that the upgrade has not disrupted any existing functionality.

How Optis Can Help

Optis provides proactive support by working with your team ahead of each scheduled upgrade. We help you assess the impact of new features, test your integrations for compatibility, and minimize any disruptions. Our goal is to ensure that the automatic upgrade process is smooth and that your systems continue to run efficiently post-upgrade.

Planned Upgrades: What to Expect

Alternatively, some Source-to-Pay platforms offer planned or manual upgrades, which require your team to schedule and execute the update process. This approach hands control of the timing and scope of the changes over to your team.

How to Prepare for Planned Upgrades

  • Create an Upgrade Timeline: Collaborate with your team to create a detailed timeline that outlines key phases, including enabling new features, regression testing, user training, and final implementation. Ensure each phase is well-coordinated to streamline the upgrade process.
  • Test Thoroughly: Before rolling out the upgrade, run extensive tests in a controlled environment to ensure your integrations, configurations and new features are functioning correctly.
  • Change Management: Effectively communicate the upgrade timeline and any protential downtime to all affected departments and stakeholders to minimize disruptions. Provide training on new features and platform changes to ensure users are prepared and can smoothly adapt to the upgrades.

How Optis Can Help

Optis can guide you through the entire upgrade process, from planning to execution. We'll help you assess the new release features, identify potential risks, test configurations and integrations, and schedule the upgrade at a time that minimizes business impact. Our expert team will manage the project with you, ensuring a seamless transition while maximizing the benefits of the new features.

CONCLUSION

At Optis, we understand that upgrading your S2P platform is a necessary step to ensure your procurement operations remain efficient and future-proof. Whether you're on an S2P platform with automatic upgrades, or one that requires you to manage the upgrade process, Optis is here to support you. We offer tailored assitance for both types of systems, helping you stay current while reducing risks and ensuring that every upgrade enhances your S2P platform's performance.
Author

Carla Eboni, Partner

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