Ugrade Process and Methodology

It is no secret that upgrading an ISV solution on Microsoft Dynamics is a time- and resource-consuming process, but at the same time it is the foundation of the Dynamics business as it brings new functionality to your customers' business and helps them to grow. Sometimes software upgrades can occupy quite a lot of your development staff's time and distract them from more profitable ISV activities.

That's why the outsourcing Upgrade Services from 1ClickFactory are an ideal solution for Microsoft Dynamics partners.

Figure: Benefits of upgrade service

We deliver upgrades to your add-on solution service using standardized processes to ensure quality and consistency. The clearly defined roles and responsibilities between you as an add-on solution owner and our team of project leaders and developers ensure smooth cooperation and commitment between the parties and leads to successful project delivery.

                    Figure: the 1ClickFactory Upgrade process

Analysis and Scoping

Our Upgrade Service starts with you, as a partner, providing us with data on your solution. Using our standardized template, which can be accessed from our partner website, partners gather data about their Microsoft Dynamics database, objects and documentation.

Based on this data, we perform a high-level analysis on your solution that allows us to scope the upgrade project. During the analysis phase we work closely with our partners to determine what products should or should not be upgraded given the version of Dynamics that the customers is moving to. In some cases, the new version of Microsoft Dynamics may include functionality that formerly was customized. In these situations, we recommend you and your customer discuss the best methodology for addressing this issue.

If there is little or inconsistent documentation of previously customized versions versus the standard version of the software, we can separately propose and price a process for developing good documentation and restructure the programming to conform with the 1ClickFactory Light Touch Application Development Methodology. This would also allow 1ClickFactory to offer upgrading to future versions at a very competitive subscription-based pricing model.

Planning and Offer

As we agree on the scope, we enter the Planning and Offer stage, where we will identify the resources needed to perform the work

Depending on the complexity of the solution, how well it is documented, the number of customizations versus standard versions and how much dialogue is needed around the scope, Analysis and Scoping and Planning and Offer can take as little as one day (8 work hours), which is our goal for any upgrade request.

Upgrade Development and Delivery

If the offer is accepted by you as an ISV, the upgrade development begins. If any unforeseen questions should come up, we will discuss with you before proceeding further. If agreed we can ship code, as we progress, for testing purposes and feedback.

Delivery of finalized code happens on agreed time and place - all electronically.

Test, Feedback and Correction

As we finalize our upgrade service, you will need to test the upgraded application, ideally together with one or two customers. Feedback on these tests should be provided to us as soon as possible, according to our guidelines and in our templates, so that we can address and correct any potential issues. 

Implementation, Deployment and Evaluation

The final phase is implementation of the solution with your customer base. This two-part process includes installation of the upgrade solution in the live environment and training the customer in functionality that may require changes to drive increased effectiveness in business processes.  

Working with 1ClickFactory not only provides smooth and productive upgrade processes for  your solutions. It also offers a method that can increase the cost effectiveness of ISVs and keep you and your customer base on the latest versions of Microsoft Dynamics products.

Working in partnership with 1ClickFactory and taking advantage of our innovative business model puts you on the right path toward successful growth.