Windows 7 Ends Support January 14th, 2020.
When software manufacturers announce the end of a product, we take proper precautions to ensure our partners are prepared. The process involves evaluation of need, compliance requirements and develop options to meet those needs.
Microsoft has set the date for end of security patching for 2 very popular products and we want our partners ready for that day ahead of time. In this article, we’ll explain why, what it means to your business and how we can help.
Why Is This The End?
Microsoft, like all software manufacturers, iterate on their products over time to deliver on the needs of their customers. As new products enter the market, the older products lose relevance. Maintaining support for those older products becomes expensive and stalls progress on the new. Often, the new versions of these products make use of the ever-changing hardware improvements. PC’s are more frequently making use of Solid State Storage (or SSD) versus Spinning Hard Drives (HDD). Faster boot times, less speed loss over time, more resistant to failure due to movement. We evaluate the health of your current hardware and advocate based on its lifespan likelihood, cost of upgrade and tangible benefits to a fresh warranty.
What Does This Mean To My Business?
Operating Systems run programs. Those programs are there to serve a function and those function are critical to your success in many cases. Our considerations tackle known obstacles like Application compatibility, making sure your software will actually *work* with a modern operating system. We also look to the less-obvious obstacles like hardware drivers. The bits of software that run your hardware like printers, scanners, storage, cameras, etc…
Beyond function, we are ever-mindful of security. Once the operating system retirement is announced, it becomes a target for security vulnerabilities. Microsoft will no longer provide patching updates to their product and no one else can. If and when a software hole is discovered, frequently they are made public knowledge which spreads the interest in exploitation. These holes are in the root of the computer which is very difficult to prevent entry into after expiration of patching. Windows XP’s retirement led to a list of 22 known vulnerabilities posted on the internet. Of those 22, 14 are still unsolved and open.
Many businesses are beholden to compliance regulations to protect customer data. HIPAA mandates active privacy protection. Part of that mandate is satisfied with computer systems that have monitored, regular operating system updates. Failure to provide a secure system violates their guidelines, opening the opportunity for audit and fines.
Like HIPAA, PCI compliance (relates to businesses that accept credit card payments for their products and services) requires the use of systems that protect the privacy of customer data. Both regulatory bodies have multiple facets of protection, many stemming from a regularly patched computer.
How We Can Help!
CodeBlue has provided and protected computers since 2003. Our goal is to present businesses with the solution that best suits the need. Our team of advocates will provide you with a comprehensive overview of your systems from a technical perspective and highlight those that could present issues. We are getting ahead of the issue proactively and would like to do so with you at your earliest convenience.
- HP, Dell, Lenovo, Acer, ASUS, NFina and More! CodeBlue is an authorized Value Added Reseller of all top names in hardware.
- Office 365, Google’s GSuite, Quickbooks, GIS, SQL, and more! CodeBlue is an authorized reseller of today’s most popular software packages with in-house engineers ready to help migrate you.
- Virtual Desktops! CodeBlue can provide you and your office with all-available, always-up-to-date Windows Desktops hosted in CodeBlue’s Private Cloud.
- Cloud Hosted Servers! CodeBlue can provide Private Cloud for your Apps, Files and Organizational data. Maintained and secured by CodeBlue 24/7.
- Asset Reporting! CodeBlue can produce a comprehensive list of your organization’s hardware and software assets. These reports serve as a priority list to predict future needs and prevent down-time.
Call us at 804-521-7660 or Email your account manager at Sales@codebluetechnology.com