In the ever-evolving digital content management landscape, keeping your CMS (Content Management System) up to date is crucial. Unfortunately, it seems to be a common practice for businesses and organizations to fall into the trap of delaying upgrades to legacy CMS platforms, being unaware or potentially ignorant of the significant costs they may incur as a result.

The Risks of Sticking with an Outdated, Legacy CMS:

‍Sticking with a legacy CMS poses a number of potential risks, including security vulnerabilities, decreased performance and functionality, compatibility issues with new technologies, and the lack of support and updates from the provider of the platform. These risks can leave your website and data vulnerable to cyber threats and you could easily fall behind on the changing market demands.

Hidden Costs of Delayed Upgrades:

‍The longer you postpone CMS upgrades, the higher the hidden costs may become. Increased maintenance expenses, loss of productivity due to outdated features, negative impact on user experience, and the potential for legal and compliance risks all contribute to the overall expense of sticking with your legacy CMS.

Case Studies:

While directly attributing data breaches exclusively to delayed CMS upgrades can be difficult, several high-profile cases show the potential dangers of using outdated software products and platforms.

• Equifax Data Breach (2017): Credit reporting agency Equifax experienced a large-scale data breach in 2017. (Source: bbc.com)
• TJX Companies Breach (2003): Retail giant TJX Companies fell victim to a data breach in 2003. (Source: medium.com/@edwincovert)
• Ashley Madison Hack (2015): The infidelity dating website Ashley Madison was hacked in 2015. (Source: wikipedia)

Calculating the Financial Impact:

‍To understand the financial impact of delaying CMS upgrades, weigh carefully the direct costs such as maintenance, support, and security expenses, along with indirect costs like lost revenue, productivity, and reputation damage. They all contribute to a proper total cost of ownership (TCO) analysis. Although it's tempting to stay frugal in the current financial climate, there are certain areas where money is still well spent, security being one of these.

The Benefits of Timely CMS Upgrades:

‍Although it might be a significant initial investment, timely CMS upgrades can offer numerous benefits. Improved security and compliance, enhanced performance and user experience, future-proofing your website against technological advancements, and long-term cost savings outweigh the expenses associated with legacy systems. Once up-to-date, following along with the latest patches is a lot easier, more granular and less costly going forward.

Best Practices for CMS Upgrades:

‍To mitigate the costs of delayed upgrades, follow best practices such as regular assessment of CMS performance and security, planning and budgeting for upgrades, collaborating with IT and development teams, and leveraging automation and tools for seamless transitions.

Conclusion:

‍In conclusion, the cost of not upgrading legacy CMS platforms can be substantial and far-reaching. By prioritizing timely upgrades, businesses and organizations can mitigate risks, enhance performance, and ultimately save money in the long run. Don't let the expense of upgrading deter you from investing in the future success of your digital presence.

If you're having trouble getting management buy-in to pull off a big upgrade, read our in-depth guide into making the case to upgrade your CMS, even if it's going to be a long and costly engagement.

For expert help, advice, and a free CMS upgrade plan get in touch with us, or reach out to me directly on LinkedIn, and we’ll get it done for you.

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