Enterprise systems: the upgrade process model

Feldman, Gerald and Shah, Hanifa and Chapman, Craig and Amini, Ardavan (2016) Enterprise systems: the upgrade process model. Journal of Enterprise Information Management, 29 (6). pp. 822-840. ISSN 1741-0398

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Abstract

Purpose
Enterprise systems (ES) upgrade is a complex undertaking that recurs throughout the systems’ life span, therefore, organisations need to adopt strategies and methodologies that can minimise disruptions and risks associated with upgrades. The purpose of this paper is to explore the processes undertaken during upgrading ES, to identify the upgrade project stages.

Design/methodology/approach
This research is grounded in a qualitative survey approach, and utilises a web-based survey questionnaire and semi-structured interviews as methods for data collection. The data were gathered from 41 respondents’ and analysed using qualitatively inductive content analysis principles to derive meaning and to identify the trends about upgrade processes.

Findings
The study findings stress the importance of adopting a methodical approach to ES upgrades. Also, it suggests that due consideration should be given to the impact of new version features and functionality, the risks and the effort required for supporting upgrade projects.

Research limitations/implications
The five-stage upgrade process model can be utilised as a strategy to minimise complexity and risks associated with upgrade projects. However, this study only proposes logical generalisations; therefore, future studies could explore these stages in-depth to offer generalisable arguments applicable to ES upgrade phenomenon.

Originality/value
The study proposes a five-stage upgrade process model that offers a systematic approach to support upgrade projects. The proposed model extends previous models by proposing alternative strategies to support ES upgrade projects.

Item Type: Article
Identification Number: https://doi.org/10.1108/JEIM-12-2014-0122
Dates:
DateEvent
10 October 2016Published Online
26 January 2016Accepted
Uncontrolled Keywords: Enterprise systems, Systems upgrade, Enterprise systems change, ERP upgrade, Upgrade process, Upgrade process model
Subjects: CAH11 - computing > CAH11-01 - computing > CAH11-01-01 - computer science
Divisions: Faculty of Computing, Engineering and the Built Environment
Faculty of Computing, Engineering and the Built Environment > School of Computing and Digital Technology
Depositing User: Ian Mcdonald
Date Deposited: 25 Jan 2017 15:33
Last Modified: 22 Mar 2023 12:01
URI: https://www.open-access.bcu.ac.uk/id/eprint/3824

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