Should you sign up for a product in beta?
Jinfo Blog

By Anja Chemnitz Thygesen

Abstract

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In Jinfo, we often come across products in beta. We enjoy engaging with these teams and giving them our feedback and advice on their products, target groups and market scope.

A product in beta is a test version released to a limited group of users to identify bugs and gather feedback before the full launch.

Innovation often comes with a trade-off between opportunity and risk. Products in beta sit firmly in that space, offering early access to promising tools and ideas, but accompanied by a fair degree of uncertainty.

The attraction of the beta: Early access, influence, and bragging rights

For many information managers, engaging with a product in beta can seem like a smart move:

• It's a chance to get a better deal and early access to new features that could improve workflows or provide a competitive edge.
  
  
• Beta participants also gain a voice in shaping product direction, influencing the developers' roadmap before general release.
  
  
• There's a certain prestige in being among the first. You gain a reputation as a first mover, your team learns faster than others, and it can be genuinely enjoyable to explore a product’s potential while it’s still taking shape.
  
  
• The learning curve advantage means your users will be more experienced once the product matures. Some vendors even offer incentives, such as discounts, credits, or exclusive functionality.
  
  

The other side of the beta: Unfinished, uncertain, and fragile support 

However, there’s another side to the story:

• A beta product is, by definition, unfinished. It may not deliver on every promise and that’s often why it comes at a lower price.
  
  
• You could spend weeks testing features only to find they don’t fit your organisation’s needs. Worse, the product could move in a direction you don’t support, or the vendor might even go out of business altogether.
  
  
• Security and privacy risks should also be top of mind. Beta software can include untested data handling processes, frequent updates that introduce bugs, and incomplete documentation. 
  
  
• Compatibility issues may arise with existing systems, and integration breaks are common as developers refine APIs and connectors. Limited or inconsistent support can compound these challenges, leaving early adopters to troubleshoot on their own.
  
  

How to handle a beta invite

So how should an information manager approach a beta invitation? The key is to treat it as a structured experiment, not an operational deployment:

1. Define your purpose.  Why this vendor? What’s the real benefit?
   
   
2. Isolate the environment. Test with non-critical user groups to contain any fallout.
   
   
3. Protect your data. Use test accounts and anonymised datasets whenever possible.
   
   
4. Read the fine print. Review terms and telemetry policies. Know what data is collected and how it’s used.
   
   
5. Scope participation. Start small, gather metrics, collect user feedback, and expand only if the results justify it.

Ultimately, beta participation can be rewarding but only when approached with caution and clear boundaries.

For information managers, the goal isn’t just to be first; it’s to learn quickly, minimise risk, and ensure that innovation aligns with organisational priorities.

If you treat beta engagement as a learning opportunity, rather than a final solution, it can provide real strategic value and maybe even a little fun along the way.

See these related Jinfo Subscription resources:

• "Improve outcomes from your vendor negotiations"
• "Why information management skills are critical for managing data marketplaces"
• Contract negotiation role play – analysis and practical strategies for your negotiations

Have you come across a product in beta which you would like Jinfo to review? Let us know and we'll have a closer look.

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