Focus: Should We Wait for Windows 8?
As our clients are preparing budgets and planning for next year, many are asking us if there's value in waiting for Windows 8. (Yes, Windows 8 is on the distant horizon.)
Here's our answer:
While skipping Windows 7 may seem budget-friendly in the short term, we've done our homework and we tend to agree with the recent Gartner article titled, " Windows 8 Announcement should not delay Windows 7 Deployment Plans," which concludes:
"The ambitiousness and scope of Microsoft's plans for Windows 8, which will encompass devices beyond PCs, could delay its release or complicate its implementation. Organizations should continue with Windows 7 deployment plans."
Yes, there are a few folks out there who think that it might save money if (a) they postpone migration and/or (b) they can avoid migrating twice, but Gartner says two important things: there's a very good chance the Windows 8 release may be delayed and that even if it isn't delayed, support for XP will run out before the system can be deployed.
Although waiting for Windows 8 may make sense on paper, you cannot risk going without Microsoft support on your OS for any length of time. While we know you know this, we're going to say it again: end of support means no more security patches or updates for Windows XP. Here's what Microsoft's Stephen L. Rose says:
"On April 8, 2014, security patches and hotfixes for all versions of Windows XP will no longer be available. So bottom line, PCs running Windows XP will be vulnerable to security threats. Furthermore, many third party software providers are not planning to extend support for their applications running on Windows XP, which translates to even more complexity, security risks, and ultimately, added management costs for your IT department if you're still managing Windows XP environments."
While there are many ways to cut costs and delay some spending, our bottom line is:
You cannot afford to wait for Windows 8.
Reach out to us at connect@edentechnologies.com if you have further questions.
