Windows Server 2003 End of Support Date is Fast Approaching

Technology has come a long way since 2003. It seems like just yesterday that Microsoft dropped support for Windows XP, and in just a few short months, they’ll be dropping support for Windows Server 2003, as well. If your business is one of the many still utilizing this server operating system, you’ll want to make sure that you upgrade away from it before July 14th, 2015. Otherwise, you’ll be running without security patches or updates.

It should also be mentioned that Microsoft will offer custom support for those who can’t make the upgrade in time, but it comes at a steep cost. Processor magazine estimates that it could potentially run businesses up to $200,000 a year, making it an expensive alternative to simply upgrading to something more secure and reliable. Seeing how the last Service Pack it received was several years ago, and all other support for the operating system has long since ended (it’s currently on its last leg of extended support), upgrading now before it’s too late is the optimal choice.

Whether or not you should upgrade isn’t in question. You can’t ignore security or compliance issues which arise from using an outdated operating system. Without the necessary security patches and updates, you’re taking unnecessary risks which could potentially compromise your business. It’s of the utmost importance that you keep your infrastructure as secure as possible from outside threats, especially if you deal with sensitive information, like health records or confidential files.

This begs the question, “How should I approach upgrading?” It depends on what kind of mission-critical applications your business is running. Some of your applications might have trouble migrating from a 32-bit operating system to a more recent one, and that’s not even mentioning the costs or time associated with the migration process itself. You want to make sure you approach this procedure in an educated and timely manner, so you know for sure that you’re achieving optimal results for your business.

As a business owner, you might not have the time to dedicate toward finding a solution to this issue. Plus, if you’re a small or medium-sized business, your budget is probably limited in the IT category. Directive understands the IT pains of the average business, and we specialize in delivering affordable solutions to those in need of technology assistance. We offer proactive solutions, which prevent issues from becoming bigger problems, instead of the typical break-fix company designed to fix problems as they are made apparent. Unlike these companies, our top priority is ensuring that your business operates at maximum efficiency. You might say that it’s our niche in the industry.

By taking advantage of our managed IT services, Directive can provide you with technology assistance when you need it most. We can upgrade your Windows Server 2003 to a viable replacement. If you haven’t already taken advantage of server virtualization, we can guide your business along that path, too. Virtualizing your servers has proven to be a valuable service, and the savings accrued by eliminating maintenance and electrical costs can significantly free up your budget for more lucrative projects. Additionally, Directive can monitor your new virtual servers for any issues which might arise. We can then quickly resolve issues with our remote maintenance solution. It’s the ideal way to handle server maintenance.

To upgrade to more efficient technology and adopt a more proactive style to IT services, give Directive a call at 607.433.2200.