The End Is Near…
If you are still using Windows XP or Office 2003, you must make a plan to get off of these ASAP!
The end of a long overdue era is here. Microsoft has announced that all support for these products is ending on April 8, 2014. We know that sounds far away, but it’s not when you think about the time involved to research, plan and execute a strategy to move you off of XP/Office 2003 before the deadline.
“What will happen if I don’t move off of Windows XP or Office 2003 before the deadline?”
A lot of people are asking us what will actually happen if they don’t get off before April 8, 2014. You can expect:
- There will be no more new patches or critical security updates released for the XP (Microsoft has publicly stated this), which will leave your network open to hackers and malware. Undoubtedly, malware writers and hackers will take advantage of all remaining XP users after this date.
- Microsoft will no longer offer any technical support for Windows XP, and the industry will follow. New applications and software will not be tested to work on XP, nor will they support it.
- Say “goodbye” to driver releases for XP for new hardware! Trying to connect things like printers or video cards will be next to impossible
- You will not be able to use any new hardware or software since you will run into many compatibility problems
- The bottom line? Continuing to use XP after April 2014 is a scary “at your own risk” scenario!
How do I make the move off of XP and Office 2003?
It can be an intimidating task to come up with a solid strategy to move your company off of the twelve-year-old system, and there is so much to consider. That’s where WAMS can help – we’ve helped many people formulate and put into action a plan to move them off of XP.
- The different applications that you use and what versions of Windows they are compatible with.
- The current hardware and software you have: what can be re-used, what needs to be replaced, what’s compatible, and what’s not.
- Your business goals for not just the next few months, but the next few years, and how technology can help you get there.
- The training plan for your employees on the new systems they’ll be using.
- The step-by-step plan for getting your company onto newer technology.
- Of course, your budget for the upgrade and different ways to get the results you want and need.
Let us come in and help you get off of XP/Office 2003. Contact us or fill out the form to the right today for a free consult to begin building your strategy!