Overview
The Upgrade Service is available to existing SunSystems clients. It enables an efficient and effective implementation of application and technology upgrades, allowing you to take advantage of new SunSystems functionality.

In addition, the service can help to minimize the risks arising from changes to key business systems, while maximizing the benefits of business change through the use of SunSystems expertise.

Primary deliverables
Skilled SunSystems consultants carry out the Upgrade Service in conjunction with your organization's staff. The primary deliverables are:

• Review of requirements for the upgrade
• An upgrade plan detailing the work necessary to meet these requirements
• Delivery, including installation of new software on the required platform, migration of data from the old version, implementation of any necessary changes to the configuration, acceptance testing and user training, all in accordance with the agreed plan

If you are considering a more fundamental review of your SunSystems implementation, we recommend that you take advantage of our Site Audit service.

Suitability
The Upgrade Service is appropriate for existing SunSystems clients who meet one or more of the following criteria:

• Requirement to move to a later version of SunSystems products, to benefit from ongoing development of technology, functionality and performance
• Need to take advantage of specific features available within a new version of SunSystems 
• Requirement to change the technology platform
• Need a fully euro-compliant implementation

Approach
The Upgrade Service is scalable so that it can meet the needs of all clients. The way in which the components described here are used is agreed with you during the initiation phase.

Upgrade initiation

• Initial statement of requirements
• Initiation meeting
• Terms of reference

Analysis Stage

• Technology requirements review
  • Review of current system, (including SunSystems modules & versions, associated software, operating systems, databases, hardware, interfaces, etc) against the defined requirement
• Application requirements review
  • Review of current implementation against the defined requirement, including all SunSystems modules with any associated software
  • Review of integration aspects, including impact of the upgrade on existing interfaces

Upgrade Plan, to include:

• Technology upgrade, specifying:
  • Recommended system definition, with full details of all changes to existing configuration
  • Recommended upgrade procedure, including data migration 
• Application Upgrade, specifying:Configuration work necessitated by the upgrade
  • Any additional configuration work required
  • Integration work, including changes to interfaces
  • Acceptance test plan, including identification of key processes
  • Client training in the upgraded system 

Delivery stage

• Technology
  • Implementation of new operating systems, databases etc
  • Installation of new SunSystems software
  • Migration of data from former system
  • Documentation of new installation
  • Systems administration training 
• Application work
  • Amend configuration of SunSystems and associated software as agreed
  • Amend interfaces as agreed
• Acceptance testing
• Review of migrated data to prove validity of migration
• Test agreed key processes to prove functionality
• End-user training
• Deliver end-user training in new features

Conclusion

• Post upgrade review
  • Review of upgrade service
  • Recommendations for future development

Methodology
All Upgrade Services are delivered under the SunSystems PQIS methodology, which ensures that the service is delivered with maximum efficiency and minimum risk.