February 2007 Newsletter
The Latest and (Sometimes) Greatest: Whether to Upgrade Your Computer Programs
"Upgrade today!" says every product box and Web site. Some upgrades are free; others are costly. Some require administrative privileges or lots of time; others don't. Some increase your productivity; others will make you crave a simple "undo" button. Everyone, from the average biller to the network techie, wonders, "When is it really time to upgrade?"
Security
The best reason to upgrade is security. If Microsoft is offering a Critical Update, it's probably because a security vulnerability has recently been discovered―which hackers are expected to take advantage of―and the software manufacturer is offering you a chance to fix your system first.
Microsoft is far from alone in this battle: Apple Inc. just completed its Month of Apple Bugs initiative, alternative browsers face an ongoing battle for security, and even the popular PDF plug-in is susceptible to recent serious security concerns.
Quadax doesn't take an official position on whether our clients and other business partners should install specific security patches. However, some Quadax contracts make it clear that each company is responsible for its own computer security. HIPAA affirms that healthcare companies should protect against hazards to security, as resources allow.
Stability
PC veterans will remember Windows 95 and Windows 98, which had a bad habit of crashing. In retrospect, upgrades to more stable versions couldn't have come soon enough!
On the other hand, some upgrades have "broken" applications which users relied on. The most famous example is Windows XP Service Pack 2 in early 2004, whose otherwise-welcome security features made several reputable software packages stop working, until users upgraded those other packages to versions that adapted to Microsoft's changes.
Interestingly, in the same legal breath, HIPAA requires medical offices to ensure patient information's security, and—after reading the previous paragraph, this may seem contradictory—its integrity and availability by protecting against accessibility threats.
Enhanced Features
Compatibility and productivity enhancements are also compelling reasons to upgrade. In November, major versions were released for the two most popular browsers, both sporting similar features like tabbed browsing. The new year brought an updated version of Adobe Reader, promising more ease-of-use for PDFs. Soon after, Microsoft released its attractive Windows Vista operating system, which offers outstanding improvements in user experience and control.
Caution is also warranted for this area. Does your computer have the horsepower necessary to run Vista? Will your staff require training to take advantage of the new PDF features?
In 2007, Quadax software will keep up with changes to standard insurance claim forms and come with new productivity features. Both our HARP and Xpeditor development teams are working toward major releases of our software, also for release in 2007.
Bottom Line
Quadax software developers successfully tested our products under the new browsers and made some behind-the-scenes changes to keep you up and running. They have not yet completed testing of our products on the Microsoft Windows Vista operating system, which is expected to have a lesser impact than last year's browser upgrades. As testing is completed, we'll continue to keep you informed.
Work in concert with your own network technicians, Quadax Service, and other vendors. Discuss major upgrades with them before installing, especially if you expect to upgrade before most other people. Consider whether automated software upgrades are good for your situation.