Product Enhancement Request Process

A Product Enhancement Request (PER) is the mechanism used by Macro 4 to track requests raised by customers and prospects regarding changes or enhancements in Macro 4 software. A PER is used to track any request for new functionality.

Any new requests are initially qualified by Macro 4 support, to clarify the precise requirement. Depending on the issue’s business impact to you the customer, the PER will be assigned a priority by your Macro 4 Representative.

To raise a new PER, please contact your local support representative.

The priorities are

  • High - Presents a compelling business case
  • Medium - Of significant benefit to you the customer
  • Low - Will assist you the customer but not considered business critical

All qualified PERs are reviewed by the Macro 4 Development team. An initial decision regarding the PER is usually taken within 6 weeks of receipt (more quickly if the priority is high).

Other factors that influence the decision of the PER review team

  • Number of customers who have previously requested this functionality
  • Whether the request is seen by Macro 4 as developing the product in an appropriate strategic direction

The final decision regarding the PER will be communicated to you via your Macro 4 representative and the PER will move into one of these categories

  • Pending Scheduling
    • Macro 4 accepts this is a useful enhancement for the product and will plan to implement the enhancement in a future release.
    • In time, the PER moves to On Roadmap status which means it has been scheduled for a future release of the product. We would expect your participation in the EA program for the product release concerned to validate that the change met your requirements.
  • Wishlist
    • Macro 4 accepts this is a valid request, but either do not have resources to work on this currently or it is not considered a high enough priority to justify the work at the moment.
    • Items on the Wishlist may be reassessed if further customers have requested similar functionality.
  • Refused
    • Macro 4 cannot justify the work involved but we may be able to explore means of delivery on a professional services cost basis. The PER is no longer active and will not be reviewed.
  • Technical Investigation
    • Further in-depth technical research is required before Macro 4 can give you a decision on whether or not the PER should be implemented. Once this research work has been carried out, the PER will be assigned to one of the 3 status categories specified above.

All active PERs, regardless of the category to which they are assigned, are logged and will be reviewed as part of the planning for each release. This ensures that an idea which was not feasible or desirable when it was first suggested may well become practical at a later date.