Applying a pair-correlation function of erbium ions that is known from x-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy, we develop a new statistical model of migration-assisted upconversion in erbium-doped glasses. The results of modeling show that short-range coordination order of erbium ions contributes to the upconversion rate for both low and high population inversion. In addition, we report the methods of suppression of the short-range order of erbium ions in multicomponent glasses.