If your business is still using Windows XP in the office, you’re probably looking for help to move away from it as quickly and painlessly as possible. Whom better to help you with such a task than the experts that specialize in OS migrations as a business?
It may soon be the end of Windows XP – but that could spell the beginning of new relationships with customers looking to migrate away from their outdated operating systems (OS).
With Microsoft Corp. set to stop supporting Windows XP on April 8, 2014, channel partners, managed service providers (MSPs), and resellers have probably been telling their customers to move on.
We held a Twitter chat on Oct. 31 at the hashtag #CDNwinXP, discussing the merits of upgrading to another OS and the pitfalls of continuing to run Windows XP. We also benefited from the insights of guest experts Brian Bourne of CMS Consulting, as well as Microsoft Canada’s James Nicholson and Derrick Valenzuela.
Here’s a recap of what we learned during our chat.
A lot of Twitter chat participants had similar thoughts on this. Not only is it expensive to switch over all of your data and applications from existing legacy applications, but it’s also a lot of work. And some people are slow to embrace change.
- What are some of the advantages of moving to a modern OS that partners should stress with their clients?
- What are some of the risks of staying on an unsupported OS?
- What different challenges do SMBs and enterprise face in migrating away from Windows XP?
- Is moving to a modern OS just about software, or is there a hardware and services opportunity for partners as well?
- Which OS should resellers guide SMBs and enterprise companies to choose?
- How much will Windows 8.1 influence businesses to move away from Windows XP?
- Any tips or tools for resellers and MSPs to help customers have a smoother transition from WindowsXP?
It can be a daunting project. Legacy app compat/supportability is a migration barrier. Other times, just failure to invest in IT. #CDNwinxp
— Brian Bourne (@brianbourne) October 31, 2013
A1:It's not as easy an upgrade for biz as it is for consumers. Lots of moving parts. App compatability, creating images… #CDNwinXP
— Jeff Jedras (@JeffJedrasITW) October 31, 2013
A1:Customers arn't aware of the benefits they would realize by migrating to #Windows8.1 & the risks of staying on XP #CDNwinXP
— Microsoft Canada (@microsoftcanada) October 31, 2013
A1:It's not as easy an upgrade for biz as it is for consumers. Lots of moving parts. App compatability, creating images… #CDNwinXP
— Jeff Jedras (@JeffJedrasITW) October 31, 2013
We are now less than 160 away from XP EOS…becoming very relevant for all customers large and small #CDNwinXP
— James Nicholson (@jamesoakville) October 31, 2013
Some of the advantages include greater security for PCs, by way of Microsoft providing patches and updates, as well as support. But also businesses can take advantages of better productivity apps on an updated OS.
A2. Security. User experience. Performance. New functionality such as Bitlocker/DirectAccess. Touch screen. #CDNwinXP
— CMS Consulting Inc (@CMSConsulting) October 31, 2013
A2 Security has got to be a big focus. Having unsupported OS at the scale of Windows XP makes you a major target for #hackers #CDNwinXP
— Brian Jackson (@brianjjackson) October 31, 2013
A2: Empowering mobile workforce, introducing new line of biz apps & remote secure data access #CDNwinXP
— Microsoft Canada (@microsoftcanada) October 31, 2013
A2. Can I say "security" a few more times? #CDNwinXP
— CMS Consulting Inc (@CMSConsulting) October 31, 2013
The biggest one is opening up PCs to zero-day attacks and vulnerabilities from hackers, participants said.
Lack of bug/exploit/vulnerability patching is worst consequence. Also, new software may require a newer operating system than XP #CDNwinXP
— Trustwave (@Trustwave) October 31, 2013
Vulns released after April 8 will go unpatched unless you pay heavily for custom support. #CDNwinXP
— CMS Consulting Inc (@CMSConsulting) October 31, 2013
@CompDealerNews an unsupported OS is like being on the frontier without cavalry support #CDNwinXP
— Trustwave (@Trustwave) October 31, 2013
I’m betting hackers are sitting on a stack of 0-day waiting for the clock to tick past April 8. #CDNwinXP
— CMS Consulting Inc (@CMSConsulting) October 31, 2013
For many SMBs, the problem has to do with resources, money, a limited IT department, and training employees to use a new OS.
A4. SMB’s lack software deployment & automation tools available to enterprise. SMB’s tend to have a lot of manual work. #CDNwinXP
— CMS Consulting Inc (@CMSConsulting) October 31, 2013
@CompDealerNews Training, support, app compatibility, data formatting (internal & with clients). Need > 140 characters. #CDNwinXP
— Carmi Levy (@carmilevy) October 31, 2013
@CompDealerNews #CDNwinXP SMBdon't run on negotiated Service Level Agreement. More oppy for change. Often have cultural resistance
— Jeff Loucks (@JeffLoucks) October 31, 2013
@JeffLoucks @CompDealerNews SMBs often afraid of being oversold. Memories of #Y2K linger. #CDNwinXP
— Carmi Levy (@carmilevy) October 31, 2013
SMB's won't have tools such as SCCM to automate upgrade. They will wait til a new PC comes in, or go manually PC to PC. #CDNwinXP
— CMS Consulting Inc (@CMSConsulting) October 31, 2013
Twitter chat participants agreed partners should really be talking to their customers about the possibilities once they’ve migrated away from Windows XP – for example, touch capabilities with Windows 8.1. There was also a question raised about data loss.
@CompDealerNews Partners that AREN'T looking for meta-opportunities in hw, sw & svcs do themselves & clients a disservice. #CDNWinXP
— Carmi Levy (@carmilevy) October 31, 2013
#CDNwinXP. How legitimate are fears of losing data in a migration?
— Howard Solomon (@HowardITWC) October 31, 2013
#CDNwinXP @HowardITWC Data loss is possible. Especially with lots of local data. User-state-migration tools help significantly.
— CMS Consulting Inc (@CMSConsulting) October 31, 2013
A5 If you're coming from XP, you probably haven't looked much at the cloud, so that's a good convo to have. #CDNwinXP
— Jeff Jedras (@JeffJedrasITW) October 31, 2013
@HowardITWC It is a legitimate fear. XP to Win 7 or Win8 is not a direct line. It needs to be handled with skill. #CDNwinXP
— Jeff Loucks (@JeffLoucks) October 31, 2013
@HowardITWC Ideally, businesses should have data backed up to restore from if something goes wrong. #CDNwinXP
— Trustwave (@Trustwave) October 31, 2013
@JeffLoucks @HowardITWC Data loss doesn't worry me as much as broken apps. Data can be restored. Workflow? Not as easy. #CDNWinXP
— Carmi Levy (@carmilevy) October 31, 2013
@carmilevy Use the Windows Assessment tool kit to asses application compatibility http://t.co/SXSCjnn372 #CDNwinXP
— Microsoft Canada (@microsoftcanada) October 31, 2013
For businesses primarily running Windows, there was some debate over whether Windows 7 or Windows 8 would better suit organizations’ needs.
A7. Of course I’m biased. Considering Mac or Nix? Basically it comes down to whether you see the value in being domain-joined. #CDNwinXP
— CMS Consulting Inc (@CMSConsulting) October 31, 2013
A7 I found Win8 aggravating on non-touch laptop, but it's miles better on my Surface. If you do go Win8, touch hardware is a must #CDNwinXP
— Jeff Jedras (@JeffJedrasITW) October 31, 2013
@candice_so @microsoftcanada @Windows not nessesarily easier just more understood. Similiar to XP. Familiarity helps #CDNwinXP
— CONPUTE (@CONPUTE) October 31, 2013
A7 As long as touch has a hardware premium though, you have to ask, is there a business case here for touch? #CDNwinXP
— Jeff Jedras (@JeffJedrasITW) October 31, 2013
@candice_so @Windows 8.1 allows a company to light up their mobile employees by enabling touch and LOB apps #CDNwinXP
— Microsoft Canada (@microsoftcanada) October 31, 2013
@JeffJedrasITW @candice_so Good question. I haven't seen too many ROI studies re. touch. What acute biz problem does it address? #CDNwinXP
— Carmi Levy (@carmilevy) October 31, 2013
Some Twitter users indicated fear was a strong motivator. There’s also a possibility that some businesses may just want to pay extra for continued Windows XP support. Others just like the features Windows 8.1 has to offer, but some may opt for Windows 7 as they are more familiar with it.
@8_IT Paid support for XP is available. Negotiated per customer but roughly $200/PC for year 1. $400/PC for yr 2. $1000/PC yr 3 #CDNWinxp
— CMS Consulting Inc (@CMSConsulting) October 31, 2013
A8. Switching to Win 8.1 means better-integrated Skydrive, viewing multiple apps on one monitor & improved search functionality. #CDNwinXP
— DellSmbCA (@DellSmbCA) October 31, 2013
@8_IT uses Dell Lat Touch w/ Win8 and love them. Great platform for Mobile Force. We want to migrate all staff to them by EO'14 #CDNwinXP
— Infinite IT Solns (@8_IT) October 31, 2013
@JeffJedrasITW @candice_so many orgs will have a least a portion of staff that have mobility needs or allow for greater mobility #cdnwinXP
— James Nicholson (@jamesoakville) October 31, 2013
@CompDealerNews a little of both. There was push back on Win8. Win8.1 has helped squash many of these fears. #CDNwinXP
— Trustwave (@Trustwave) October 31, 2013
.@candice_so Large enterprise is paying and its lit a fire under them. (Services opp for us). SMB will go unprotected. #CDNwinXP
— CMS Consulting Inc (@CMSConsulting) October 31, 2013
A8: consumerization of IT is driving #devices and #mobility & this is where business are embracing @Windows 8.1 #CDNwinXP
— Microsoft Canada (@microsoftcanada) October 31, 2013
Most Twitter chat participants felt it’s important for channel partners to communicate effectively with their customers and explain why they need to update. It’s also crucial to have a well-formed plan.
A9. We recently posted “6 factors to consider when planning your XP migration” http://t.co/m84SkuBjbB #CDNwinXP
— CMS Consulting Inc (@CMSConsulting) October 31, 2013
A9: First task,get apps tested, here are some resources to help the transition: http://t.co/kDudfTvfPy and http://t.co/al77QX1ZvH #CDNwinXP
— Microsoft Canada (@microsoftcanada) October 31, 2013
A9. Agreed. The key is the partner you select. Just like any technology migration, experience and planning is essential #CDNwinXP
— Infinite IT Solns (@8_IT) October 31, 2013
A9. #CDNwinXP Apps (rationalize/remediate), HW (inventory/refresh), build/update Infrastructure and deployment strategy & tools.
— CMS Consulting Inc (@CMSConsulting) October 31, 2013
@jamesoakville @JeffJedrasITW Use-cases are key. In some it's ideal. In others, not. #CDNwinXP
— Carmi Levy (@carmilevy) October 31, 2013
Essentially, everyone agreed – if businesses haven’t transitioned away from Windows XP already, it’s time to get a move on as the end of support date draws nearer.
Final Thoughts: less than 160 days till end of #XP support many customers are not aware so help us spread the word. #CDNwinXP
— Microsoft Canada (@microsoftcanada) October 31, 2013
@CompDealerNews Just do it. It's like a band aid – just rip it off. #CDNwinXP
— Trustwave (@Trustwave) October 31, 2013
The risk of being on XP is going to take a massive jump on April 8. Time to move! #CDNwinXP
— CMS Consulting Inc (@CMSConsulting) October 31, 2013
Stay tuned for our next Twitter chat! We’ll post updates for the next one on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and our site.