i have a t24 (temenos) system for a bank realease R20, i want to upgrade it up to date,
what is the consideration i should take to deside to upgrade or not
Upgrading Temenos T24 (R20) to the Latest Release: Key Considerations
When deciding whether to upgrade your Temenos T24 system from R20 to the latest
release, here are the critical factors to consider:
Technical Considerations
Current Infrastructure Compatibility: Assess if your existing
hardware/OS/database versions support the new release
Customization Impact: Evaluate how many customizations/modifications you've
made that may need reimplementation
Integration Points: Review all third-party integrations that may need updates
Data Migration Requirements: Determine if data structure changes will require
complex migration
Downtime Tolerance: Understand your bank's ability to handle upgrade-related
downtime
Business Considerations
Regulatory Compliance: Check if new regulations require features only available
in newer releases
New Functionality Needs: Identify if business units require features only in
newer versions
Competitive Position: Consider if staying on R20 puts you at a competitive
disadvantage
End-of-Support Timeline: Verify when R20 will reach end-of-support from
Temenos
Cost Considerations
Licensing Costs: New release may have different licensing terms/fees
Implementation Costs: Budget for professional services, testing, training
Maintenance Costs: Newer releases may have different support costs
ROI Analysis: Weigh costs against expected benefits (efficiency gains, new
capabilities)
Risk Considerations
Testing Requirements: Plan for comprehensive regression testing
Rollback Strategy: Have a clear plan to revert if upgrade fails
Vendor Support: Confirm Temenos support availability during your planned
upgrade window
Staff Readiness: Assess if your team has skills for the new version or needs
training
Alternative Options
Consider whether a phased upgrade (to an intermediate release first) would be
lower risk
Evaluate if some needs could be met with additional modules/patches instead of
full upgrade
Recommendation
Before deciding, you should:
1. Conduct a full impact assessment
2. Request a detailed upgrade proposal from Temenos
3. Review case studies of similar banks that have upgraded
4. Perform a cost-benefit analysis specific to your institution
The decision ultimately depends on whether the benefits (new features, support,
compliance) outweigh the costs and risks for your specific situation.
what is the questions i should ask before conduct the upgrade
Key Questions to Ask Before Upgrading Temenos T24 (R20)
Before conducting the upgrade, you should gather detailed information to assess the
impact, risks, and requirements. Here are the critical questions to ask:
1. Business & Strategic Questions
✅ Why do we need to upgrade?
Is it for regulatory compliance, new features, or end-of-support?
What business problems will the upgrade solve?
✅ What are the expected benefits?
Will it improve efficiency, security, or customer experience?
Does it enable new banking products or digital services?
✅ What is the impact on business operations?
How much downtime can the bank tolerate during the upgrade?
Are there critical periods (month-end, audits) to avoid?
2. Technical & Functional Questions
✅ What is the target release version?
Latest stable release or an intermediate version? (e.g., R21, R22, or latest cloud-
ready version)
✅ What are the hardware/software requirements?
Will the current infrastructure (servers, OS, DB) support the new version?
Are there changes in database requirements (Oracle, PostgreSQL, etc.)?
✅ How will customizations be handled?
How many custom modules/enhancements exist in R20?
Will they be compatible, or will they need redevelopment?
✅ What about third-party integrations?
Are APIs, payment gateways, and reporting tools compatible?
Will middleware (IBM Integration Bus, MQ, etc.) need updates?
✅ What is the data migration strategy?
Are there schema changes that require data conversion?
How will historical data be preserved?
3. Project & Risk Management Questions
✅ What is the estimated timeline?
How long will development, testing, and deployment take?
Should we do a phased rollout (e.g., by modules or branches)?
✅ What are the key risks?
Could the upgrade fail, and what’s the rollback plan?
Are there known issues in the target release?
✅ How will testing be conducted?
Will there be a parallel run (old vs. new system)?
Who will perform UAT (User Acceptance Testing)?
4. Vendor & Support Questions
✅ What support will Temenos provide?
Is there an upgrade package or tool (e.g., Upgrade Manager)?
Does Temenos recommend a certified implementation partner?
✅ What training is required?
Do end-users, IT staff, and support teams need new training?
Are there updated documentation and release notes?
✅ What is the licensing impact?
Will the upgrade require new licenses or additional costs?
5. Post-Upgrade Considerations
✅ How will performance be monitored after the upgrade?
Are there new monitoring tools or logs to track?
✅ What is the long-term support plan?
How long will the new version be supported by Temenos?
Will future upgrades be easier with this new version?
Next Steps
1. Gather answers from IT, business teams, and Temenos.
2. Perform a gap analysis to identify required changes.
3. Develop a detailed project plan with timelines, resources, and fallback options.
4. Run a pilot test in a non-production environment before full deployment.
Would you like a structured checklist for the upgrade process?
yes give a structured checklist for the upgrade process.
Structured Checklist for Temenos T24 (R20) Upgrade Process
This checklist ensures a systematic approach to upgrading your T24 system, covering
pre-upgrade, execution, and post-upgrade phases.
Phase 1: Pre-Upgrade Preparation
1. Business & Strategic Planning
Define clear business objectives for the upgrade (compliance, features,
performance).
Obtain executive sponsorship and budget approval.
Identify key stakeholders (IT, business units, vendors).
Document expected benefits and KPIs for success.
2. Technical Assessment
Verify hardware/software compatibility (OS, database, middleware).
Review Temenos release notes for breaking changes.
Identify deprecated features in the new version.
Check third-party integrations (payment gateways, reporting tools).
3. Customization & Data Review
Inventory all customizations (enhancements, user exits, local modules).
Assess compatibility of custom code with the new version.
Plan for redevelopment of incompatible customizations.
Analyze data migration requirements (schema changes, cleanup).
4. Project Planning
Define project timeline (development, testing, deployment).
Assign roles (project manager, developers, testers, business analysts).
Set up a non-production environment for testing.
Establish a rollback plan in case of failure.
Phase 2: Upgrade Execution
5. Environment Setup
Provision new servers/storage if required.
Install and configure the new T24 release in a test environment.
Apply necessary patches and hotfixes.
6. Code & Data Migration
Migrate core T24 functionalities first.
Adapt custom code to work with the new version.
Perform initial data migration and validation.
Test integrations with third-party systems.
7. Testing & Validation
Conduct unit testing (individual modules).
Perform integration testing (end-to-end workflows).
Execute regression testing (ensure existing functions work).
Run performance testing (check system response under load).
Conduct User Acceptance Testing (UAT) with business teams.
8. Training & Documentation
Train end-users on new features/changes.
Update technical documentation (runbooks, support guides).
Train IT support staff on troubleshooting the new version.
Phase 3: Deployment & Post-Upgrade
9. Go-Live Preparation
Finalize the cutover plan (timeline, responsibilities).
Take a full backup of the current R20 system.
Notify all users about downtime and changes.
10. Deployment
Execute upgrade in production during a maintenance window.
Monitor the upgrade process for errors.
Validate critical functions immediately after upgrade.
11. Post-Upgrade Activities
Monitor system performance (CPU, memory, response times).
Address any post-upgrade issues (hotfixes if needed).
Verify all integrations are working correctly.
Conduct a post-mortem review (lessons learned).
12. Long-Term Maintenance
Schedule periodic health checks.
Stay updated with Temenos patches and updates.
Plan for future upgrades based on roadmap.
Final Notes:
✔ Risk Mitigation: Always have a rollback strategy.
✔ Communication: Keep stakeholders informed at every stage.
✔ Testing: Never skip UAT—business validation is critical.
Would you like a RACI matrix (Responsible, Accountable, Consulted, Informed) for this
upgrade process?
what is the questions i should ask to decide to upgrade or not
Key Decision-Making Questions for T24 (R20) Upgrade
Before committing to an upgrade, you need a structured evaluation. Below are critical
questions to help determine whether upgrading is the right decision for your bank.
1. Business Justification
Strategic Need
✅ Why are we considering an upgrade?
Is it driven by regulatory compliance (e.g., new banking laws)?
Are there critical business needs (e.g., digital banking features, AI/ML
capabilities)?
Is the current version end-of-life (EOL) or unsupported?
✅ What benefits will the upgrade bring?
Will it improve operational efficiency (faster processing, automation)?
Does it enable new revenue streams (open banking, APIs, fintech integrations)?
Will it enhance customer experience (mobile banking, real-time payments)?
Cost-Benefit Analysis
✅ What is the estimated ROI?
Does the cost of upgrading justify the benefits?
Are there cheaper alternatives (e.g., patches, bolt-on solutions)?
2. Technical & Functional Assessment
Compatibility & Readiness
✅ Is our infrastructure compatible?
Does the new version require new hardware, OS, or database upgrades?
Are third-party systems (core banking, payment gateways, BI tools) supported?
✅ What is the impact on customizations?
How many custom modules, user exits, or local changes exist in R20?
Will they need redevelopment, testing, or replacement?
✅ How complex is the data migration?
Are there major schema changes that require data transformation?
Will historical data remain accessible post-upgrade?
Risk & Stability
✅ What are the risks of not upgrading?
Will staying on R20 expose us to security vulnerabilities?
Are we missing out on critical bug fixes or performance improvements?
✅ What are the risks of upgrading?
Could the upgrade disrupt operations (downtime, transaction failures)?
Are there known issues in the target release?
3. Project Feasibility
Resource & Timeline
✅ Do we have the right skills in-house?
Does our IT team have experience with Temenos upgrades?
Will we need external consultants or Temenos support?
✅ What is the estimated timeline?
Can we afford the downtime required for testing and deployment?
Are there business-critical periods (audits, fiscal year-end) to avoid?
Testing & Rollback Plan
✅ How will we validate the upgrade?
Will we run a parallel test environment before go-live?
Who will perform User Acceptance Testing (UAT)?
✅ What is the rollback strategy?
If the upgrade fails, how quickly can we revert to R20?
What is the worst-case scenario, and how do we mitigate it?
4. Vendor & Support Considerations
✅ What support does Temenos provide?
Is there an upgrade toolkit or automated migration tool?
Does Temenos offer guided upgrade services?
✅ What are the licensing implications?
Will the upgrade require new license agreements or additional costs?
Are there subscription vs. perpetual licensing changes?
✅ What is the long-term roadmap?
How long will the new version be supported?
Are future upgrades expected to be easier or more complex?
5. Alternative Options
✅ Are there alternatives to a full upgrade?
Can we patch R20 to meet compliance needs?
Would a cloud migration (Temenos SaaS) be a better option?
Should we consider phased upgrades (e.g., R20 → R22 → Latest)?
Decision-Making Framework
Factor Upgrade Recommended? Stay on R20?
Regulatory Required by law? ✅ No immediate need? ❌
Factor Upgrade Recommended? Stay on R20?
Compliance
Business Growth Need new features? ✅ Current features sufficient? ❌
Security Risks R20 has vulnerabilities? ✅ Still secure? ❌
Cost & Resources Budget & team available? ✅ Too expensive/complex? ❌
Vendor Support R20 losing support? ✅ Still supported? ❌
Final Recommendation
Upgrade if:
o Regulatory, security, or business needs demand it.
o The ROI justifies the cost.
o You have the resources and risk tolerance.
Delay if:
o Current system meets all needs.
o Upgrade risks outweigh benefits.
o A future release aligns better with your roadmap.
Would you like a scoring matrix to weigh these factors objectively?
yes
T24 Upgrade Decision Scoring Matrix
This quantitative framework helps objectively evaluate whether to upgrade your
Temenos T24 system from R20. Assign scores (1-5) based on your bank's priorities, then
tally results for a data-driven recommendation.
Scoring Guide
5 = Critical factor, must upgrade
4 = Strong reason to upgrade
3 = Neutral/minor benefit
2 = Minor reason to delay
1 = Strong reason to delay
1. Compliance & Security (Weight: 25%)
Score (1-
Factor Notes
5)
Current version (R20) has unpatched security Temenos support
⬜
vulnerabilities status?
New regulations require features only in e.g., real-time reporting,
⬜
newer releases AML5
Current version will lose vendor support Check Temenos EOL
⬜
within 12 months timeline
Subtotal: _____ / 15
2. Business Needs (Weight: 30%)
Score (1-
Factor Notes
5)
New products (loans, digital banking) require e.g., API banking, AI
⬜
upgraded features workflows
Operational inefficiencies exist that newer e.g., batch processing
⬜
versions solve delays
Competitive pressure to match industry ⬜ Peer banks already
Score (1-
Factor Notes
5)
capabilities upgraded?
Subtotal: _____ / 15
3. Technical Factors (Weight: 25%)
Score (1-
Factor Notes
5)
Higher score = more
>50% of customizations require rework ⬜
risk
Key integrations (SWIFT, payment gateways) Vendor compatibility
⬜
need updates checks
Database/hardware must be replaced to Significant cost
⬜
support new version impact?
Subtotal: _____ / 15
4. Cost & Resources (Weight: 20%)
Score (1-
Factor Notes
5)
Budget covers full upgrade + contingency Include training/testing
⬜
(20% buffer) costs
Internal team has upgrade experience or Or need expensive
⬜
Temenos support consultants?
Score (1-
Factor Notes
5)
Downtime window available (min. 48hrs for Weekend/holiday slots
⬜
cutover) possible?
Subtotal: _____ / 15
Decision Threshold
Total Score = Sum of Subtotals
Score
Recommendation
Range
60-75 Strong case to upgrade now
45-59 Upgrade within 6-12 months with planning
30-44 Consider partial updates (patches/modules)
<30 Delay upgrade; revisit annually
Example Calculation
1. Compliance & Security: 12/15 (Regulatory pressure but no urgent vulnerabilities)
2. Business Needs: 9/15 (Some feature gaps but no competitive urgency)
3. Technical Factors: 8/15 (Moderate customization rework needed)
4. Cost & Resources: 10/15 (Budget available but limited internal expertise)
Total = 39 → "Consider partial updates"
Next Steps
1. Gather stakeholders to score each factor
2. Compare against your bank's risk tolerance
3. For borderline scores (40-50), conduct a:
o Pilot test (upgrade non-production first)
o TCO analysis (3-year cost of upgrading vs. maintaining R20)
Would you like a risk heat map to visualize the highest-impact factors?
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