Upgrading OpenText Exstream enhances performance and functionality, but requires careful planning and execution to avoid disruptions. A comprehensive checklist is essential, covering pre-upgrade planning, testing environment setup, performance testing, and end-to-end functional testing to ensure a smooth transition. Following this guide helps minimize risks and optimize the system for better customer communications management.

1. OpenText Exstream Checklist Guide for a Successful Upgrade_1
Upgrading OpenText Exstream is a critical process that can enhance performance, improve
functionality, and offer new features to support better customer communications
management. However, as with any software upgrade, it requires careful planning,
coordination, and execution to ensure a smooth transition without disruptions. A well-
structured Checklist Guide is essential to ensure that all the critical aspects of the upgrade are
addressed and the system operates optimally post-upgrade.
Below is a comprehensive checklist for a successful OpenText Exstream upgrade.
1. Pre-Upgrade Planning
The planning phase is key to avoiding potential pitfalls during the upgrade. Understanding
the scope of the upgrade and its impact on your organization is vital to ensure a smooth
process.

2. Checklist for Pre-Upgrade Planning:
- Review Release Notes: Thoroughly read the release notes for the new version to understand
the new features, enhancements, and deprecated functionalities.
- Assess Current Environment: Take inventory of your current system configurations,
modules, integrations, and customizations to understand their compatibility with the new
version.
- Backup Data and Configurations: Ensure a complete backup of all critical data,
configurations, and application files.
- Define the Upgrade Scope: Determine whether you’ll be upgrading the entire solution or
just specific components (e.g., engine, design manager).
- Create an Upgrade Plan: Develop a detailed plan that includes a timeline, tasks, responsible
parties, and risk management strategies.
2. Testing Environment Setup
Before upgrading your production environment, it's essential to conduct a thorough test of
the new version in a controlled testing environment.
Bentech can help you upgrade your OpenText Exstream, Document Presentment,
Extended ECM for Content Suite, Content Server, Archive Server, and many more OpenText
products.
Checklist for Testing Setup:
- Create a Test Environment: Set up a separate environment that mirrors your production
system to test the upgrade without affecting live operations.
- Data Migration Testing: Verify that all data (templates, customer data, configurations) can
be successfully migrated to the upgraded system without issues.
- Compatibility Testing: Test all integrations with other systems (e.g., CRM, ERP) to ensure
compatibility with the upgraded version of OpenText Exstream.
- Custom Code Testing: If you have custom-built solutions or scripts, test them thoroughly to
ensure they work seamlessly with the new version.

3. 3. Performance Testing and Benchmarking
Performance is a critical aspect of any OpenText Exstream upgrade. The upgrade should not
negatively impact system performance; in fact, it should ideally enhance it.
Checklist for Performance Testing:
- Establish Baseline Metrics: Document current performance metrics (e.g., document
generation speed, throughput, and resource utilization) in the current environment.
- Run Performance Tests: After upgrading the test environment, run the same performance
tests to compare results. Identify any areas where performance has been impacted.
- Optimize Configuration: Adjust configuration settings in the new version to optimize
performance. This could involve tuning memory usage, thread counts, or other system
parameters.
4. End-to-End Functional Testing
Ensure that the upgrade does not introduce any functional issues in your OpenText Exstream
processes, especially those critical to your customer communications.
Checklist for Functional Testing:
- Test All Communication Workflows: Verify that all document generation workflows (e.g.,
batch, interactive, and on-demand communications) function correctly.
- Validate Templates and Assets: Test that templates, logos, images, and dynamic content
render correctly post-upgrade.
- Check for Format Consistency: Ensure that document outputs (e.g., PDF, HTML, emails,
print) maintain consistency across the upgraded version.
- Regulatory Compliance Testing: Verify that any regulatory requirements, such as
accessibility standards or data protection, are still being met.
We recommend at least requesting an upgrade assessment health check and consulting
service to ensure that your OpenText™ environment is ready for an upgrade and that you
have someone to turn to for helpful advice and guidance. As always, please be sure to reach
out if you have any further questions. We look forward to hearing from you!

4. Conclusion: Ensuring a Seamless OpenText Exstream Upgrade
Upgrading OpenText Exstream can provide healthcare and other industries with
powerful new tools to improve communications and operational efficiency. However,
without a well-structured upgrade plan, the process can become complex and prone to
errors. This OpenText Exstream Upgrade Checklist Guide serves as a step-by-step roadmap to
ensure a smooth and successful transition, from initial planning to post-upgrade
optimization.
By following this checklist, organizations can minimize risks, ensure system stability, and
unlock the full potential of their OpenText Exstream platform, making it easier to manage,
personalize, and automate customer communications more effectively.