Approaching the final stage of your Deltek Costpoint implementation, you’ll hear the term “Promote to Production.” It’s an important step that signifies readiness and stability. With the right preparation and guidance, this process is straightforward and a significant achievement for your organization.
Let’s clarify what this milestone means for your team, and why it’s a cornerstone for operational confidence.
What Does “Promote to Production” Mean?
Promoting to production is the transition of your Costpoint environment from test or configuration into the live production environment, where your daily operations are securely managed.
To end users, the interface remains familiar; the primary visible update is the system name. Once you access the production environment, it’s business as usual, built on a foundation of enhanced reliability.
Behind the scenes, this promotion enables stronger protections, better continuity, and long-term peace of mind.
Why the Production Environment Matters
Moving to production is about trust, security, and guaranteed continuity. Your Costpoint database receives nightly backups, which are aligned with Deltek’s proven disaster recovery protocols.
By contrast, test and configuration environments often rely on weekly backups, increasing the risk of data loss if issues arise. Promoting to production delivers greater data protection and reliability, stronger disaster recovery assurance, and consistent performance for mission-critical activities.
How the Promote to Production Process Works
Expect a controlled, efficient process, and PCI supports you every step of the way.
Here’s the typical sequence:
- A Cloud SaaS Admin submits a Scheduled Event Service Request to reserve your preferred promotion date.
- Upon confirmation, a Promote to Production Service Request is submitted.
- The Deltek Cloud team copies your Costpoint database into the secure production environment.
Transitions occur Monday through Thursday evenings after business hours, ensuring system readiness at the start of the next working day. (Example: Promote Tuesday night and log in to production Wednesday morning.)
Key Considerations Before Choosing a Promotion Date
Preparation drives success. Review these core areas before selecting your promotion window:
1. Single Sign-On (SSO)
If your organization uses SSO:
- Submit a service request to connect SSO to all relevant environments, including production, sandbox, and the mobile app.
- Your IT department will configure SSO in your identity provider.
2. Integrations
Utilize integrations such as:
- CMI
- GovWin IQ
- ODBC connections
- APIs
Coordinate with PCI to validate and reconnect integrations, ensuring seamless data flow in your production environment.
3. Business Intelligence (BI) Reports
For team members with BI reports saved in My Content:
- Copy necessary reports to Company Content before promotion.
- After the transition, move reports back to My Content as needed.
This prevents data loss and maintains reporting continuity.
4. User Communication Clear and proactive communication minimizes surprises:
- Inform users at least one week ahead.
- Share the promotion date and system name changes.
- Guide users to update system names and login URLs if needed.
Most users will simply enter the new system name and, if necessary, re-save their Costpoint URL.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long will the system be unavailable?
The system is taken offline for a brief period outside of business hours. Operations resume normally the following business day.
Why must we schedule a date?
Selecting a date ensures no conflict with system updates and that the Deltek Cloud team is available for your promotion. This minimizes risk and maximizes support.
Will users need to reset their passwords?
No changes to user credentials will occur. Passwords remain the same.
Can we combine this with SSO or credential changes?
Although it’s possible, we recommend separating major changes to reduce risk and user disruption.
Is submitting service requests challenging?
Cloud Administrators can easily submit both Scheduled Event and Promote to Production requests via the Deltek Support Center. For peace of mind, PCI is available to review or submit requests on your behalf.
What Should End Users Expect?
The end-user experience is intentionally seamless:
- The system name will be updated.
- Users may need to re-save their login URLs.
- All day-to-day functions and data remain accessible.
For a smooth rollout, PCI can provide draft communications and best practices to facilitate user understanding.
“Is There Anything That Could Go Wrong?”
Risk is minimal. The primary considerations involve timing, so it’s best to avoid scheduling on timesheet signature, payroll, billing, or key reporting deadlines. To ensure a smooth transition, we recommend notifying users early to prevent attempted logins during the process. A well-planned date and clear communication will ensure a hassle-free go-live.
Will PCI Continue Supporting Us Post-Promotion?
Absolutely. Promoting to production strengthens PCI’s commitment! Our team remains fully engaged, ready to provide ongoing access, support, and guidance as your partner in operational excellence.
Are There Additional Costs?
No, there are no additional charges from Deltek for the promotion. Should you require support for complex integrations or configurations, we will transparently outline and review all scope and costs with you in advance.
Promote to Production: A Confident Step Forward
Reaching this milestone demonstrates that your organization is secure, stable, and equipped for dependable operations. With PCI by your side, transition is smooth, transparent, and worry-free, so you can focus on driving results. When you’re ready to plan your promotion, align on dates, review technical requirements, or coordinate internal communications, trust PCI to make your operations comfortable. Peace of mind comes standard.
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