I am hearing that the company is moving away from the system I manage, to one I have never worked with. This will happen in a year. There is no way for me to get as expert in the new system as I am in the old. What should I do? There is nothing else in the company that pays as well, that I have experience in.

14 Comments

1. AnonymousMarch 27,2026 at 12:28PM UTC

   Personally, I'd start learning the new system today, but I don't like interviewing for new jobs. You could start looking for a similar role at a new company if you don't want to learn the new system but I bet the new system has similarities that will make it easier for you to pick up being an expert in the current one.

2. AnonymousMarch 27,2026 at 12:40PM UTC

   I think the easiest reaction for leadership is to hire an expert and phase out your position. Most companies don't care about people unless those people can offer value. So learn skills and processes that can add future value.

3. AnonymousMarch 27,2026 at 1:22PM UTC

   What I'm hearing is you've had warning and you have a year to prepare for this change. You have decisions. No one is a subject matter expert immediately, so you do have options. Either begin learning the new system asap, or start updating your resume and putting feelers out for a new job.

   In this economy with a year of wiggle room, you may want to rethink a new move - which is also a big change with new things to learn even if it's working with a familiar system. It may be in your best interest to embrace this change and be the liaison between how your familiar system works, now, compared to what the new system does to replace it. That could be your super power, translating what your company used to do to what your company does using the new system. Basically, you are still a subject matter expert if you just change the way you look at your current system and compare it to your future system as you learn it.
   By the way, everyone will be learning along with you for this change. It's how you process this change that will determine if it can work to your advantage. Good (skills) luck whatever you decide.

4. Barb HansenMarch 27,2026 at 3:20PM UTC

   Companies bring in new software all the time, and your expertise doesn’t disappear just because the old system is being sunset.

   You still understand the inputs, outputs, workflows, and business value that the current system provides. That knowledge is incredibly transferable. The software is just the tool, your expertise is in how and why it’s used.

   Your value isn’t tied to knowing which button to click or what line of code to write in one specific system. It’s in your understanding of the process, the problems being solved, and the outcomes the business needs.

   And if you’ve mastered one system to a high level, there’s a very good chance you can learn the new one faster than you think, especially because you already understand the underlying concepts.

   If anything, this is an opportunity to position yourself as the bridge between the old and the new, not someone being replaced by it.

5. Dr. Patty GrossMarch 28,2026 at 12:51PM UTC

   I agree 100 percent with what Barb posted below. If you have any opportunity, learn as much as you can about the new system before they bring it in-house, including how to customize it so it can easily replicate your current workflows if they differ. Be part of the transition as much as you can; otherwise, you risk becoming a "dinosaur" and being labeled as one who resists change. The year you have to prepare is a gift and a great opportunity to expand your knowledge. In the long run, it will make you more marketable.

6. abcdlathamMarch 28,2026 at 1:21PM UTC

   I agree about learning the system as much as you can now. Complex systems often need significant modifications to work in a new environment. Then you can present yourself as someone who has thought ahead and is eager to help with modifications to make the transition as smooth as possible. In the end you may even find yourself as the resident new system expert.

7. Monica RodriguezMarch 28,2026 at 2:00PM UTC

   The benefit of a new system is that no one is an expert yet. You will need to accept that you are a SME in your existing system but you still hold tremendous value to the organization. The company is not going to suddenly start doing business differently, so you can show your leverage by being the subject matter expert over the processes that will still need to ran. Have you asked if you are able to join the implementation team as a process expert/or hybrid Business analyst?

   Have you looked on Youtube for videos of this software? have you looked around on Reddit to ask about it? The best thing I would suggest is to learn about the core functoin and features of the new system and try to make process maps of the existing features. Soyou can join into conversations to help avoid major process pitfalls.

   As someone who implentents new systems - there is never a fool proof implementation - there are always blind spots. The users who are change champions are always those held in high favor.

   So consider finding and networking with those implementing and offer up being a change champion and include yourself in this vision. During this time you may need to be a bit bolder than maybe you're use to being- but its just the nature of change.

8. Diana SchneidmanMarch 28,2026 at 2:07PM UTC

   Am I missing something here? Isn't the first step to discuss this with your boss and probably the boss's boss as well? You are assuming there is a hopeless problem when instead you can position yourself as someone who wants to be a long-term solution to challenges ahead in the company.

9. AnonymousMarch 28,2026 at 3:54PM UTC

   Change happens and might I suggest you check the internet for user groups for the system they are moving to. If you cannot find one then find others who have experience in that new system and ask for them to perhaps offer up tips or to mentor you to learn the paths within the new tech. Find an online class if you can and be open to the move while you do. Learning new skills and things that are technical can only enhance your career as well and that might ultimately be a great thing for you as you continue to grow.

   You could also speak internally to the HR/Manager who is in charge of the migration to the new system and find out how they plan to uplevel those who do not know the new things. They might just have some training for you and others if you interact daily with that system, and usually with most tech products that training is baked into the installation and migration.

   You can do this! Just stay positive about the change and don't be resistant to it because if you are you will for sure put yourself at risk of being replace by those who have experience or are not going to balk at the change.

10. AnonymousMarch 29,2026 at 4:20AM UTC

    They will train you. It is most likely to be similar but with advanced features. You can ask them how they plan to transition the staff to the new system.

11. AnonymousMarch 30,2026 at 12:06PM UTC

    I would assume NO ONE is an expert in it. We've changed programs a number of times where I work and everyone is left flailing a bit when the changes happen. They train us, we all learn together, and we all help each other. Some of us are quicker to pick up new programs than others and at least where I work, we're always helping the people struggling with it.

    Why would you need to leave your position because of a change to something new?

12. OLIVIA JOHNSONMarch 30,2026 at 5:22PM UTC

    Hi there,

    Thanks for reaching out and sharing what I will call, this opportunity!

    Rarely do employees find out this far in advance about system shifts that are actually going to come to be.

    My short answer to not already knowing or having an expertise in this system...TRY! It's better to have some level of knowledge in the time frame that you have versus staying as is. In addition, this could be a good opportunity to be the liaision on these efforts as you are the only one who speaks the language of the current system and how it would best translate in the new one.

    In addition, I if you are sold on the system that you already have an expertise and enjoy, I would also recommend looking externally for a new role with companies that utilize this system. The unique opportunity here is that you have a chance to get ahead of this, if indeed it's not a shift you are looking to make.

    Lastly, I would be transparent with your Manager. Find out what they have in mind for you with this shift before making any assumptions. And, if you were well versed in this new system would it be a welcomed transition. IF you would like to play a bigger role in the integration/migration, you can also share what that would be. It's really tough for us to know when someone is willing to embrace a change or wants to stay put so remove that guessing game barrier for them as well.

    Keep in mind and know even going into this, that there is no guarantee on what this means for you on the tail end but these options could be the best way to have some control over your part in this and/or some control over your internal transition or your exit if needed.

    Hope this helps.

    Best regards,

    Coach Olivia

13. Tami CannizzaroMarch 30,2026 at 8:15PM UTC

    Sounds like you've made management's decision for them, before even trying the new system out. And it sounds like you don't trust yourself to learn something new. If that's true, then leaving the company for a new job isn't the answer as that puts you in an entire new situation as well. I agree with others: Position yourself as the current expert in your role - which you are - and Right Now start learning what you can about this new system. Know that there's going to be a learning curve, both for you and everyone else. Stay positive and you will pick it up! You already know how the job works - it's simply a matter of learning the new system. You've Got This!

14. Rt WlMarch 31,2026 at 1:13PM UTC

    You already know the protocols/processes/queries the current system handles. A lot of these will be the same. You're not going from nothing. Give it a try.