High-volume operations don't have much tolerance for software and systems upgrades that disrupt the course of business. But work doesn't have to come to a halt just because the latest software version's out . Two companies recently announced upgrades that were successfully completed over a single weekend.

In both cases, the companies were customers of HighJump Software, a provider of adaptable, extended supply chain execution (SCE) solutions. HighJump's executives claim that fast, low-risk upgrades are possible with HighJump's unique system architecture, which stores a customer's modifications separa tely from the system's functionality. Because of t his, upgrading to the latest functionality does not require the re-application of any previous modifications—which in competing systems can take months of work prior to the actual "go-live." HighJump maintains that no other SCE solution provider can upgrade systems with such ease and lack of expense.

The two customers, ADP and Overstock.com, both operate in complex, high-volume environments where fast, hassle-free upgrades are critical to keeping supply chain operations on schedule. ADP, the world's largest processor of shareholder communications, distributes more than 800 million documents to investors worldwide each year. Overstock.com, a leading Internet retailer of name-brand surplus, close-out and off-price merchandise, is a top 10 Internet shopping site that ships thousands of products across hundreds of categories from its 350,000-squarefoot distribution center.

Even better, the upgrade was simple enough to be handled by in-house staff. "We knew that HighJump assistance was only a phone call away if we needed it, but our internal resources were able to complete the upgrade easily over the weekend," says Cliff Heney, senior director of material and logistics for ADP's Investor Communications Services. "All of our previous modifications just carried forward, and we were ready to face our peak season with the confidence that our system was optimized with the latest functions."