iNTERFACEWARE™ Inc.

Upgrading FAQs

1. Everything is running smoothly, so why introduce a potential problem?

• Each Iguana/Chameleon upgrade offers new features and bug fixes for issues found in prior versions. Of course, we fully appreciate that with new software releases comes the possibility of new bugs, so not having the latest version might seem advantageous. However, waiting too long to upgrade to a new version is a mistake. Not only do you miss out on real improvements in the software, but the applications, databases and platforms you have integrated are themselves being constantly updated. The further you fall behind, the more likely it is that there will be some incompatibility problem. You do not want to have to deal with the problem under pressure when it could have all been tested and taken care of in an orderly, well tested environment. In addition, when you do decide to upgrade you may find that you have fallen so far behind that the newer versions cannot flawlessly read the older configuration data files.

• We completely understand that upgrading can have its own issues if not dealt with correctly. That is why we have created and adhere to an extremely rigorous QA process that tests for backward compatibility. It is also why we have engineered our software and upgrade process to be efficient and minimize the likelihood of some incompatibility causing a problem. If you have any questions or concerns after you have read the questions below and the relevant sections of our manual, please do not hesitate to contact us directly. We would much rather spend the time addressing your concerns and helping you upgrade in a relaxed and structured manner, than having to help you put out fires when things go wrong.

2. How often should I upgrade?

• Annual upgrades are recommended. At a minimum, you should strive to upgrade at least every two years to take advantage of new technology that will run better on your system. Within two years enough improvements will have been made to make it worth your while technically and financially. The more you fall behind, the more likely you will encounter some issue.

3. Does the proposed upgrade offer genuine improvement? Will it make my implementation staff more efficient and more productive?

• Every upgrade includes bug fixes but we take care to ensure that we always include a host of improvements and new features that will enable help your staff get more interfaces implemented in less time and with less effort.

4. Will I require more training to use the upgraded software?

• It is always a good idea to make sure your implementation and support staff are trained in the use of the software. However, if your staff are already familiar with our tools, the changes in the upgrades are evolutionary and they should be able to adapt and learn by using the manual and training material on the web. iNTERFACEWARE does offer both on-site and on-line training, both for new users and refresher courses. There is also a host of training material on the website (such as step-by-step tutorials) for those who would like to undertake training on their own.

5. Do I need to upgrade right-away - is right now the best time to upgrade?

• This depends on how far behind you may have fallen and what other priorities you may have. If you have an important project in progress or a big deadline looming, you may want to wind up that effort first. If you are a vendor, a good time to upgrade is on or soon after you release your next version. Your development and QA teams are still focused and you would be ensuring compatibility with your next release.

6. Do I need new hardware to support the new software?

• While this may be a good time to consider upgrading your hardware for a variety of other reasons, our tools actually become MORE efficient with each new release. i.e. While other applications and operating systems continue to use more and more resources, iNTERFACEWARE developers are focused on having Chameleon and Iguana do more while demanding less of your computer's resources.

7. Will the new software 'play well' with my current application and platform?

• At iNTERFACEWARE, we have an extensive QA processes to ensure (to the extent possible) that our new releases are backwardly compatible. However, many of our customers have written extensive code or scripting around our products and given the broad range of applications and environments in which our products are deployed, it is simply not possible for our extensive QA process to test all scenarios and interactions. Conducting a pilot upgrade in a test environment is the best precaution against any problems occurring. We will be happy to place a trial license in your account for this purpose.

8. Do I need to upgrade all my installations at the same time?

• We strongly recommend running a pilot project to let you pinpoint and resolve small-scale implementation problems before they become big ones. Rolling the upgrade out in phases can help minimize disruption.

9. If I don't upgrade, will my older software still be supported?

• Most manufacturers provide technical support for only the current and, in some cases, the most recent previous version. At iNTERFACEWARE we will support versions for a period of two years before sunsetting them. Our extensive in-house training program is focused on making and keeping our support and development staff proficient in all the different software platforms we support, plus maintaining a high level of competence with regard to the constant release of patches and updates provided by the various platform vendors. It stands to reason that they are most proficient on issues that are current and that the majority of our customers encounter. If you fall behind, the issues you might face may not be as familiar, necessitating time consuming research by our support staff on an issue that may already have been resolved in a prior release.

10. Do I have the necessary expertise for undertaking the upgrade?

• We understand that in some cases, a customer's own IT staff may not be familiar with our software. Please speak to us and we will help you define a reasonable upgrade strategy. This may require less effort than you expect. In the event that you do you need to hire a consultant or contractor, bear in mind that avoiding installation-related disruptions and downtime may be well worth the investment.

11. How do I find what version of Chameleon and Iguana I'm on?

• Iguana - The Iguana version number is located in the bottom right corner of the Dashboard.

• Chameleon - To find your Chameleon version number, click Help > About in the Chameleon interface.

12. Where do I find the latest version of Iguana?

• The latest version of Iguana is always available from our website. You can download the latest release from http://www.interfaceware.com/iguana_download.html. Note that Iguana is also shipped with the latest version of Chameleon.

13. How do I find out if I'm eligible for an upgrade?

• To find out if you're eligible for an upgrade, you need to verify that your annual support and maintenance agreement is paid and up-to-date. If it is not, you need to contact a support representative by sending an email to support@interfaceware.com to obtain an updated license registration code if you have a valid maintenance and support agreement.

	Important Attempting to upgrade without a valid maintenance agreement will cause your license to stop working. To avoid any interruptions, ensure your maintenance/support agreement is up-to-date prior to upgrading.

14. What if I need to downgrade to a previous release of Iguana?

• In most cases the downgrade process is as simple as the upgrade process. However, there are a few minor issues you should be aware of before downgrading. The issues are as follows: