The difference between Updates and Upgrades

In IT, you often hear terms that can be confusing to someone outside the IT world so here's an important one and some clarification.

Updates refer to a specific application or operating system (Quickbooks or Windows for example) and are a recommended patch that "fix" something that is broken in that operating system or application. This includes service packs and high priority critical updates.

We get notification of updates usually via email or often a pop up in the bottom of the screen near the clock "Critical update waiting" for example is a common message.

While these updates are important, it's often recommended that a certified IT technician perform the update, typically because these updates can and often do resolve one problem (perhaps one you didn't even know about yet) but break something else.

It's important that your IT technician is backing up, installing the update and then testing it thoroughly before asking you to "OK" that all is functional.

Some programs require updates as often as once a week (Microsoft Security udpates) and some as little as once a quarter (Quickbooks payroll updates) but for the safety, longevity and security of your IT systems, these updates are critical.

Updates usually change version numbers of programs only slightly, say, Version 1.2 to Version 1.3.

So long as backups are completed and tested, I am strong supporter of staying current with updates that are designated "high priority security patch" or "critical security patch." Keep in mind that the patches must come from a trusted source your IT department verifies.

Patching is best handled by your qualified IT professionals since they clearly understand the system backup and testing procedures as well. Additionally, they will deploy patches in a staged fashion ensuring not all systems get the same updates at the same time, to further ensure the availability of your network systems.

Upgrades, on the other hand, refer to moving up to the next version of a program or operating system. An example would be from Windows XP to Vista.

Don't confuse Software upgrades with hardware upgrades, which include purchasing actual physical parts or entire computer systems and installing or setting them up.

Upgrades are not always a good idea, sometimes it pays to wait until the new version's record of accomplishment is more established. Some might say, wait until the first few patches are released, to make sure they've "worked the bugs out"

In fact, many experienced people choose to wait weeks or even months before upgrading to a newer version, such is the case with many businesses and their reluctance to Windows Vista.

It is common to see IT departments recommend upgrades "every other release" depending on the application and it's use within the organization.

At the technology coach we recommended the following strategy:

* Updates - Backup, Apply and test all updates and patches within a short period of time.
* Upgrades - Unless those upgrades offer a significant advantage over your current version, delay until necessary.