Difference between revisions of "Upgrade Policy"

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===How do I hear about forthcoming enhancements?===
 
===How do I hear about forthcoming enhancements?===
  
* The [[SmartSimple]] newsletter is used to communicate forthcoming enhancements to the system.  The newsletter is issued every four to six weeks and always issued one week before an upgrade is to take place. You can also [http://smart.smartsimple.com/s_signup.jsp?token=XVtQC1oGYF9bRxdFQhdQ subscribe] to the [[:Category:Newsletter Archives|Technical Journal]] that is sent out prior to each upgrade on the [http://smart.smartsimple.com/s_signup.jsp?token=XVtQC1oGYF9bRxdFQhdQ Newsletter Signup Page]. (Unsubscribe [http://smart.smartsimple.com/s_signup.jsp?token=XVtQC1oGYF9bQxNFQhdQ here]).
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* The [[SmartSimple]] newsletter is used to communicate forthcoming enhancements to the system.  The newsletter is issued at least one week before an upgrade is to take place. You can also [http://smart.smartsimple.com/s_signup.jsp?token=XVtQC1oGYF9bRxdFQhdQ subscribe] to the [[:Category:Newsletter Archives|Technical Journal]] that is sent out prior to each upgrade on the [http://smart.smartsimple.com/s_signup.jsp?token=XVtQC1oGYF9bRxdFQhdQ Newsletter Signup Page]. (Unsubscribe [http://smart.smartsimple.com/s_signup.jsp?token=XVtQC1oGYF9bQxNFQhdQ here]).
  
 
===How often is the system updated?===
 
===How often is the system updated?===
  
* The system is enhanced with new features approximately every six to eight weeks.  This is a process that has been carried on continuously for the last five years,
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* The system is enhanced with new features approximately 4 times per year.  This is a process that has been carried on continuously for the last six years,
  
 
===What if I don't want to use a forthcoming enhancement?===
 
===What if I don't want to use a forthcoming enhancement?===
  
* All enhancements are created in such a way as to be optional and controllable by the [[System Administrator]].  This technique ensures that all enhancements are backwards compatible with your current configuration of [[SmartSimple]].
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* All new feature added with the upgrades are created in such a way as to be optional and controllable by the [[System Administrator]].  This technique ensures that all enhancements are backwards compatible with your current configuration of [[SmartSimple]].
  
===When are updates applied to the SmartSimple ASP service?===
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===When are updates applied to the SmartSimple SaaS service?===
  
* Updates are always scheduled for '''Thursday''' night at '''10:00 EST'''. Generally, the system will be unavailable for less than five minutes.
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* Updates are always scheduled for '''Thursday''' night at '''10:00 EST'''. The service window is up to 4 hours, but the server unavailability typically lasts a very short period of time.
  
 
===When are updates applied to a dedicated SmartSimple Server?===
 
===When are updates applied to a dedicated SmartSimple Server?===
  
* Updates to dedicated severs are scheduled after the '''ASP servers''' have been updated.  The date and time of the upgrade is scheduled in conjunction with the [[System Administrator]] of the dedicated system.
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* Updates to dedicated severs are scheduled after the '''SaaS servers''' have been updated.  The date and time of the upgrade is scheduled in conjunction with the [[System Administrator]] of the dedicated system.
  
 
===Can you review the enhancements before they are updated on a production server?===
 
===Can you review the enhancements before they are updated on a production server?===
 
   
 
   
* Yes - if you wish to review any enhancement, send the Help Desk a request and they can provide access to a pre-production server where the enhancement can be reviewed.
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* Yes - your [[Backup Server and Testing Instances|Backup Server]] will be updated 1 week prior to the upgrade of your production server. You are encouraged to log into the backup server and test current and new functionality as desired.
  
 
[[Category:FAQ]][[Category:System Management]][[Category:Upgrades|  ]]
 
[[Category:FAQ]][[Category:System Management]][[Category:Upgrades|  ]]

Revision as of 13:29, 27 April 2011

SmartSimple is committed to improving the functionality of the system by engaging our customer community and performing regular updates to the system.

How does SmartSimple decide what enhancements to add to the system?

  • We gather possible enhancement information from three sources; Help Desk Requests that are specified as Enhancement Requests, Feedback gathered through User Group Meetings and information that we gathered through our industry research. These sources are used to create our development Roadmap for the following six to nine month period.

Will all my Enhancement Requests become new features?

  • No, unfortunately we cannot convert all requests into enhancements. We review and synthesize requests across the business communities that we support and, based on overall demand, prioritize the enhancements we schedule for development.

How do I hear about forthcoming enhancements?

How often is the system updated?

  • The system is enhanced with new features approximately 4 times per year. This is a process that has been carried on continuously for the last six years,

What if I don't want to use a forthcoming enhancement?

  • All new feature added with the upgrades are created in such a way as to be optional and controllable by the System Administrator. This technique ensures that all enhancements are backwards compatible with your current configuration of SmartSimple.

When are updates applied to the SmartSimple SaaS service?

  • Updates are always scheduled for Thursday night at 10:00 EST. The service window is up to 4 hours, but the server unavailability typically lasts a very short period of time.

When are updates applied to a dedicated SmartSimple Server?

  • Updates to dedicated severs are scheduled after the SaaS servers have been updated. The date and time of the upgrade is scheduled in conjunction with the System Administrator of the dedicated system.

Can you review the enhancements before they are updated on a production server?

  • Yes - your Backup Server will be updated 1 week prior to the upgrade of your production server. You are encouraged to log into the backup server and test current and new functionality as desired.