A More Intentional Rhythm: Advantage’s Transition to Quarterly Releases
At AdvantageCS, our release strategy has evolved alongside our clients and the way enterprise software is planned, tested, and adopted. Whenever we implement these types of fundamental changes, we do so thoughtfully, ensuring they support long-term goals while minimizing disruption to both our clients and our internal operations.
Many longtime clients will remember our earliest release model: the familiar R1, R2, R3 cadence. That structure provided clear, predictable milestones. Over time, however, as expectations around delivery speed and agility evolved, we transitioned to a monthly release cycle to deliver enhancements more frequently. This shift also benefited our internal DevOps teams by shortening development cycles and enabling more consistent delivery. As with any model, each approach served its purpose at the time.
Now, after more than a decade of delivering monthly releases, and following an extensive internal evaluation, we’re taking the next step in our release strategy: a return to a quarterly release cadence.
Learning From Experience
Our move to monthly releases delivered real benefits. It allowed us to deliver improvements more consistently and supported fast-moving implementation and development efforts. After more than a decade, however, we recognized that a monthly cadence was no longer the best long-term model for our clients or our teams.
Across our client base, we’ve heard a consistent message. While some organizations appreciate more frequent updates, many prefer the stability and predictability of our annual update track. And among those who do prefer a faster rhythm, the clear preference is for quarterly releases rather than monthly ones.
Quarterly releases strike the right balance. They provide a steady flow of innovation without creating the sense that the ground is shifting every few weeks.
Building for Enterprise
For enterprise software, each release impacts testing schedules, integrations, internal training, and change management. Frequent updates compress those activities into an intensive rhythm, often requiring effort that is better aligned to a quarterly model.
By moving to quarterly releases, we’re aligning our cadence more closely with how enterprise teams plan and operate:
- More time for testing and validation, improving overall quality and stability
- Predictable planning windows for integrations and customizations
- Clearer enablement cycles for administrators and end users
- Fewer forced upgrade decisions, without slowing innovation
The aim is not to slow progress, but to deliver change at a pace that better supports our clients and markets while allowing AdvantageCS teams to focus on the work that delivers the most value.
Development work continues steadily behind the scenes; features are simply delivered on a more deliberate and sustainable schedule.
What Stays the Same (and What’s Ahead)
Our annual releases remain the preferred upgrade path for many clients, and that will not change. Quarterly releases complement the annual model by providing a predictable, modern cadence for organizations that want to adopt improvements more frequently. Just as importantly, this shift supports where AdvantageCS is headed next.
We’re continuing to invest in a growing set of SaaS-based offerings designed to deliver value more continuously, with less operational burden on client teams. A quarterly cadence provides us with the right foundation to support those offerings thoughtfully and reliably at enterprise scale.
In the coming months, we'll be sharing additional information about our latest offering: Advantage Essentials. This solution combines the strength of Advantage with SaaS benefits tailored to organizations that require a streamlined, out-of-the-box solution.
A Rhythm You Can Rely On
Software delivery is about trust as much as speed. Clients rely on us to support their business objectives with consistency and care. With quarterly releases, clients gain a rhythm they can plan around—one that reflects the realities of enterprise environments while continuing to move the platform forward.
We’re excited about what this enables today and even more excited about what it makes possible in the future.