What does beta testing mean? Basically, it means that you are being the guinea pig for a new version of a system or software.  The vendor is hoping you will find the bugs that they should have found when they originally tested it.

I spent the last two months of 2001 attempting to get a beta version of our catalog system to operate. This meant hours of interaction between the vendor and myself.  Here I offer some helpful hints that arose from this experience:

1. Never attempt even a minor update without a guaranteed full backup within your reach.  We needed to use it. We were fortunate because the regular backup had, unknown to us, malfunctioned. If I had not insisted on an additional backup, we would have lost more than one day's worth of data.
2. Arrange to work locally with a consistent group of people. This way you do not waste time repeating what had happened in the past. This is also important because if you need to spend numerous hours on this project, the same person may not always be available at the vendor's end.
3. Review all documentation carefully and make sure that your server is able to accommodate any increases to disk space, etc. Nothing is more frustrating than getting part way through the update only to discover that you cannot finish it.  One of their other clients did not check space beforehand and only got 75% through the installation.
4. While performing the update, if there is any confusion or inconsistency in the instructions, contact the vendor's Technical Support immediately. Do not assume that you know what they mean.
5. Prepare lots of material to read or work on while it is processing during the upgrade.  While it is processing, you need to keep yourself constructively occupied.
6. Make sure that you know how to contact your local Automation personnel if the upgrade develops a problem.  They should have the ability to remote access into the server and resolve the problem for you.
7. Make sure your stress toys are close at hand at all times.
8. IF you are allowed to be in your server room, wear warm clothes and have additional warm clothing available. The longer you are in there the colder you will get.
9. Maintain your patience if and when problems develop. Venting your frustration at the vendor's personnel will just delay the resolution of your problems.
10. Maintain a detailed list of changes that you notice after the upgrade. Beta testing means that you are willing to do in-depth testing.  Hopefully, your efforts will result in fewer problems for other users of the software.  Make sure that you indicate which changes have improved the system and which ones need further improvement.