Support and Updates Ending July 14, 2015
Technical support and updates for Windows Server 2003 end July 14, 2015, a date that’s approaching too soon for the 12 million businesses still running on the operating system. Those companies will lose critical support from Microsoft when it stops developing and releasing updates and service patches. The end of phone and web support for the product will leave some customers feeling stranded, as many did when Windows XP was retired last spring. So how do you approach ‘end of life’ care for your operating system? Read on to learn about the real effects of this transition and how you can get up to date.
Many Vulnerabilities
Systems running on Server 2003 will find themselves susceptible to a new host of threats and regulatory scrutiny. Companies that process regulated data, such as credit card or health information, may find themselves out of compliance, resulting in fines or potentially being cut off from trading partners. Not only will regulatory compliance be at stake, hackers will find unsupported systems compelling targets because security patches, periodically released to address threats and vulnerabilities, are being discontinued. Rather than risk a breech, and the data loss or theft that comes with it, the best thing to do is upgrade.
Upgrading
Every aspect of Windows server has been improved in recent years. You can take advantage of over a decade of engineering developments (and hold on to Microsoft support) by upgrading to Windows Server 2012. The 2012 release runs faster and provides better performance, reduced downtime, advanced disaster recovery and data protection, and offers advanced management tools, access security, and protection of your information. Though the migration process is not easy, it is definitely worth investing in for all the benefits described.
Help along the Way
It’s important to acknowledge that the reason many companies running Server 2003 haven’t migrated already is because of the cost and complexity of the process. The typical migration occurs on an 18-month timeline from planning and discovery to completion. It’s likely that new hardware and much staff time will be needed, but Provident Technology is here to help. We will securely backup your server data in the early stages to prevent loss, help you select new hardware, and design and configure the server around your needs. If compatibility between old software and the new operating system is a concern, we’re prepared to help you move on to new solutions. As daunting as the process may seem, know that support is only a phone call away. Begin planning with a call to Provident Technology at 215-278-4090.