What businesses need as Microsoft ends support for Windows XP

Businesses in particular are feeling the most pressure to stay up-to-date with an increasing need to protect their data and manage all their devices while ensuring security and compliance.

Microsoft, global devices and services giant, has announced the official end of support for Windows XP, Windows XP Professional for Embedded Systems and Office 2003 by April 8, 2014, and therefore urged its customers and partners to migrate to Windows 8 and Office 2013 platform.

Windows 8 is Microsoft’s latest operating system for modern businesses, building on Windows 7 fundamentals such as speed, reliability and security while creating a modern platform designed for new generation of hardware experiences from tablets and innovative touch devices to traditional desktops and laptops.

With the official end of support for Windows XP, Windows XP Professional for Embedded Systems and Office 2003, partners and customers will no longer receive security updates and technical support from Microsoft, which will result in vulnerability to security threats.

Awawu Olumide-Sojinrin, acting country manager, Microsoft Nigeria, said recently in Lagos that it was wise for customers and partners to move with the changing technology trend by migrating to the Windows 8 and Office 2013 platform within the 8-month period.

Businesses can now achieve greater productivity and mobility through Direct Access in Windows 8 by enabling remote users to seamlessly access corporate resources over a secure VPN tunnel through the internet.

“There are several re-engineering and attacks that needs to be catered for as a result of the changing technology landscape. Businesses stand to have huge risks if they do not migrate because there will be no security updates to meet security requirements,” said Oluyomi Alarape, director, solutions and sales datacentre specialist, Microsoft Nigeria.

In addition, Windows 8 provides mobile security through Bit locker, Windows To Go, which is a full version of Windows 8 on a USB stick which readily support “Bring Your Own Device” (BYOD) initiatives.

As Windows XP goes off into the sunset, many applications that were originally written for it will cost extra in support costs, especially as independent software vendors increasingly stop supporting their newer apps running on windows XP. Abiodun Ogunjobi, head, marketing at Ha-Shem Network Services Limited, a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner, opined that “technology is always changing” and enjoined customers on the Windows XP and office 2003 to migrate to the Windows 8 and office 2013 platforms.

“Ha-Shem is intensifying efforts to ensure customers migrate to the Windows 8 platform and it is important that they know it is not all about the cost but about the security of their data and the risks of system failure and business disruption could increase because of the end of support and therefore urged its customer do not have to wait until their systems are infected before migrating to either the Windows 8 or Office 2013.”

Ade Famoti, acting director, enterprise and partner group, Microsoft Nigeria, explained “that for the small and medium businesses (SMBs) space, Office 365 is a possible option businesses migrating off Office 2003 should be on while the license cost can be done on a per subscription basis.”

With the upcoming April 2014 deadline to receive support for older Windows XP devices raises the question for many businesses of what to do with their older technology and how to protect valuable IP and customer information.

But business and personal technology has dramatically changed over the last decade. PC desktops are now commonly found side by side with laptops, and newer form factors like Ultrabooks, All in Ones, and tablets. Writeable CDs are today replaced by cloud-based storage solutions like SkyDrive. Connectivity and accessibility once limited to offices is now possible at home, in the car or even on a beach. The newest version of Windows that Microsoft released recently- Windows 8, reflects this evolution.

As businesses evaluate their migration path from Windows XP, there are a few key questions to consider:

What does support look like for the software applications you need for work

As Windows XP goes off into the sunset, many of the applications that were originally written for it will cost extra in support costs, especially as independent software vendors increasingly stop supporting their newer apps running on Windows XP. This is one of the reasons why firms like IDC predict the longer businesses wait to move to Windows XP to Windows 7 or Windows 8, the pricier custom support for Windows XP gets.

What kinds of form factors do your employees need to be successful

With an ever-increasing lineup of Windows 8 form factors to choose from – from notebooks, tablets and All in Ones that use touch – you can replace older hardware with a newer Windows device that reflects the unique needs of your employees and how they prefer to work today.

How do you want to manage devices running on your corporate network

Businesses in particular are feeling the most pressure to stay up-to-date, with an increasing need to protect their data and manage all their devices, all while ensuring security and compliance. Companies such as BT PLC, Emirates Airlines, Seton Hall University and Toyota Racing Development moved from XP to Windows 7 and are now deploying Windows 8 because of how it reflects their needs today.

To know what the right solution is, Microsoft is offering a variety of resources to help businesses, including dealers through the internet.

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (NASDAQ “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realise their full potential.