After years of service, Windows is finally ending support for Windows 7, Windows Server 2008, and 2008 R2 7 on January 14, 2020. As these operating systems reach their end of life, it can create a number of hassles and concerns for the organizations rely on them. In this article, we’ll take a look at why the end of these OS’s is significant and important considerations for organizations that are migrating to a new OS.
What Does Operating Systems Reaching End of Life Mean?
The end of life for OS’s such as Windows 7, Windows Server 2008, and 2008 R2 does not mean that these operating systems will become immediately inoperable. However, it does mean that they will no longer receive support, patches, feature updates or security updates from Microsoft. In other words, while the OS’s themselves may remain operable, they will not remain a viable option for organizations due to this lack of support and security.
Important Considerations for Transitioning to Windows 10 and Server 2019
The end of support for Windows 7, Windows Server 2008, and 2008 R2 means that organizations relying on these OS’s will have to transition to Windows 10 and Server 2019. As you go about making this transition, here are a few things to keep in mind:
Are Current Applications Compatible With the New OS’s?
Windows 10 and Server 2019 are designed to be just as capable if not much more so than their predecessors. However, it is still important to ensure that the applications your organization relies on will be compatible with the new OS’s. This verification is simple enough to complete either by contacting Microsoft support or working with your IT department.
Determining the Best Migration Path
Before you begin migrating to a new OS, you need to carefully determine the most efficient and effective path forward. Begin by analyzing your hardware in order to determine which hardware you will be able to keep and which hardware you might need to replace, then you can identify which software allows for in-place upgrades vs those which will require side by side migrations. Once you have determined what resources you will be able to keep and what resources you will need to update or replace, you need to construct a plan for a smooth transition for both the equipment and for your end users who will need to continue to access those resources and applications during and after the migration is complete.
At HI-TEX Solutions, our migration services make it easy for organizations to develop a migration path that is efficient, affordable, and effective by removing the burden of migrations from your internal teams and providing turnkey solutions that adhere to your time schedules. Migration to a new OS can sometimes be complex. With the right professional support, though, it doesn’t have to be an overwhelming challenge.
Training Employees to use the New OS’s
Microsoft’s newest OS’s are designed to be intuitive and easy to use. However, they still require somewhat of a learning curve for users who are accustomed to the older OS’s. To ensure a smooth transition, it is essential to train your employees on the new OS’s and take advantage of all the available features. This process should begin with training a few managers within your organization on how to use the new OS’s and then relying on them to train the employees beneath them. Alternatively, let us host a series of lunch and learns for your employees ensuring everyone is prepared for success.
Ensuring Data Continuity During and After Migration
Your organization’s data is invaluable, and it is essential to ensure that none of your data is lost or otherwise compromised during or after the migration process. Thankfully, HI-TEX understands that users will need to transfer data to these new OS’s and has the tools to make this process easy and secure. With that said, though, great care must still be taken to ensure data continuity both while you are migrating to a new OS and after the new OS has been put into use. At HI-TEX Solutions, data continuity is always a critical component of our migration services.
Ensuring Cross-System Compatibility
If you use of OS’s other than Microsoft’s or layers virtual Microsoft OS’s on top of platforms like VMWare or Hyper-V, ensure that your new Microsoft OS’s are compatible with the non-Microsoft OS’s that you use. Verifying cross-system compatibility before the migration process can help highlight potential issues, enabling you to address these issues before they manifest into a costly problem.
Conclusion
Organizations that rely on these OS’s are left with no other option but to migrate to the new operating systems such as Windows 10 and Server 2019. The good news is, that these new OS’s offer a number of advantages. Meaning that the migration to the newer OS’s will likely be very positive for your organization in the end.
At HI-TEX Solutions, is dedicated to helping organizations easily transition to new OS’s. If you would like to learn more about our migration services, we invite you to contact us today.
