Whatever the impetus for the call, the question will be the same. This column is a consideration of the loaded questions surrounding software upgrades. Most readers will be confronted with similar dilemmas, both large and small, in the coming months. The answers are often not simple. My informal survey of software executives, CNC machine suppliers, and end users found a broad range of thinking on the topic.
Software companies see the issue from their own unique perspective.
They are driven by factors that are unique to their business. First, without newer, better, bigger products they fear they will fall behind the competition. The competition, despite the position of the Department of Justice vs. Microsoft, is fierce. Likewise, they want to make the improvements which will allow them to hold on to their existing clients. In fact, the size of the installed base of a software product is crucial to the future success of most programs.