With Windows 2003 SP2 End of Life just around the corner, the old adage that “all good things must come to an end” seems to be particularly true. Once thought to be the gold standard of operating systems, Windows 2003 SP2 has outlived its usefulness, and as of July 14, 2015, Microsoft will discontinue support of the outdated operating system.
Windows 2003 SP2 End of Life
If your company still uses Windows 2003, there is important information that you need to know about what that lack of support means and how it can negatively impact your business. Although Microsoft has offered “extended support” of the OS since July 2010 – “extended support” meaning that they have provided only security updates since that time – the upcoming Windows 2003 SP2 end of life will affect your company in the following ways:
- As of July 14, 2015, no new updates will be developed or released.
- If you continue to use Windows 2003 after July 14, 2015, you won’t be able to keep up with compliance standards – including PCI, or Payment Card Industry, regulations. This can mean that credit card companies will stop doing business with your organization.
- As of July 14, 2015, there will be no “safe haven,” meaning that your company will not be able to pass a compliance audit, and many apps will no longer be supported.
- Staying with Windows 2003 after the July End of Life will actually cost you money. You may think it’s frugal to stay with an outdated operating system, but it’s just the opposite. A CSA (custom support agreement) is expensive to establish and gets even more expensive as times goes by.
- Your company will be left in the dust by the competition. While other companies enjoy all the benefits of an updated operating system that fully embraces cloud computing technology, you’ll still be limping along with a network that is slower, less secure, and limiting in ways you probably haven’t even considered.
The Good News: Migrating to Windows 2012 is Easy
There’s another old adage that still rings true in the digital age: “Every cloud has a silver lining.” When it comes to the Windows 2003 SP2 end of life, that silver lining is Windows 2012. Since it’s obvious that staying with an outdated operating system will be detrimental to your business, and that the only smart move is to migrate to a newer OS, why not choose an operating system that is capable of fully utilizing the advantages of cutting-edge technology and cloud computing? Windows 2012 does just that. Consider the benefits of this updated OS:
- Faster, more dependable performance – The new Windows 2012 operating system ensures that your network is up and running consistently and that downtime is kept to an absolute minimum.
- Increased memory – Windows 2012 scales up to 4 TB of memory, as opposed to 1 TB with Windows 2003.
- Enhanced backup and recovery – Windows 2012 allows your company to enjoy the very latest in backup and disaster recovery processes.
- Optimizes cloud computing technology – Utilizing the newer operating system, our experts at PointClick can build a private cloud for your company, including a web platform that supports multiple apps.
- Mobility and flexibility – With Windows 2012, your employees will have full access to data and apps no matter what type of device they choose to use or where they may be located.
- Customized service provided by PointClick – Unlike some hosting providers that use the “one-size-fits-all” approach, we take the time to really get to know your business so that we understand exactly what you need for the most efficient network possible. After the migration to Windows 2012 is complete, we provide customized service you can depend on.
For more information, download our Windows 2003 SP2 End of Life Datasheet. End of support doesn’t have to mean hardship for your company, contact us today for more information about migrating to Windows 2012 or see our Microsoft Cloud Platform Datasheet!