Application maintenance involves ensuring the smooth running, evolution and security of applications once they have been put into production. This includes activities such as correcting anomalies, improving performance, integrating new functionalities and managing updates.
Despite its importance, many companies fall into common pitfalls that can compromise efficiency, increase costs or expose their data to risk.
In this article, discover the 8 most common mistakes in application maintenance and practical advice on how to avoid them.
1. UNPLANNED MAINTENANCE
Why is this a problem?
Without regular planning, problems pile up: security flaws, persistent bugs, obsolete applications. This can quickly affect your users and your operations.
What can you do about it?
- Draw up a maintenance schedule. Plan regular updates and checks in advance to anticipate problems.
- Prioritize critical patches. Don't wait for a vulnerability to impact your users before taking action.
2. IGNORING WARNING SIGNS
Why is it a problem?
System alerts and bugs are often perceived as minor annoyances, but they are often the warning signs of more serious problems.
What can you do about it?
- Centralize reports. Use tools like Jira or Monday to track bugs and alerts.
- React immediately. Every bug or alert needs to be dealt with quickly to prevent it turning into a crisis.
3. SAFETY: AN OFTEN NEGLECTED PRIORITY
Why is it a problem?
Security breaches expose your sensitive data and those of your customers to cyber-attacks, which can damage your reputation and your finances.
What can you do about it?
- Set up regular security audits. These help detect vulnerabilities before they are exploited.
- Adopt modern security solutions. Encryption, firewalls, two-factor authentication: these measures are not options, but necessities.
4. MAINTENANCE BY NON-EXPERTS
Why is this a problem?
Calling on teams who are not specialized in application maintenance can lead to costly errors and extended delays.
What can you do about it?
- Entrust this task to the experts. Application maintenance professionals know best practices and have the necessary tools at their disposal.
- Train your in-house teams. If you manage maintenance in-house, make sure they have the right technical skills.
5. NOT TAKING USER EXPERIENCE INTO ACCOUNT
Why is this a problem?
A high-performance application with poor ergonomics discourages users, which can harm your business in the long term.
What can you do about it?
- Test your applications regularly. Analyze how your users interact with your application after each update.
- Gather user feedback. Direct feedback is often a gold mine for identifying areas for improvement.
6. NON-EXISTENT OR OBSCURE DOCUMENTATION
Why is this a problem?
Without clear documentation, every new team member or service provider loses time understanding how the application works.
What can you do about it?
- Create centralized documentation. Include configurations, processes and major changes.
- Update documentation regularly. After each intervention, make a note of changes to keep a reliable record.
7. PERFORMANCE MONITORING: THE SHADOW OF FORGETFULNESS
Why is this a problem?
Failure to continuously monitor performance can leave critical problems undetected, such as slowdowns or service interruptions.
What can you do about it?
- Use monitoring tools. Tools like New Relic or Dynatrace enable you to detect and correct anomalies before they affect your users.
- Analyze data regularly. Understand trends to anticipate your application's needs.
8. COST MANAGEMENT: LOOKING BEYOND THE SHORT TERM
Why is this a problem?
Poor cost anticipation can turn maintenance into a money pit.
What can you do about it?
- Draw up a clear budget. Include upgrades, technical support and audits in your forecasts.
- Plan for the future. Take technological developments into account to avoid unpleasant surprises.
Trust the experts for flawless application maintenance
At Esokia, we put our expertise at your service to support you every step of the way: diagnosis, implementation and follow-up.
Do you want to keep your applications running smoothly, while reducing risks and costs?
Contact us today at [email protected] and discover our solutions tailored to your needs.
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