Microsoft is ending support to Windows XP. What does that mean for you?

According to Microsoft’s website*:

It means you should take action. After April 8, 2014, there will be no new security updates, non-security hotfixes, free or paid assisted support options or online technical content updates.

Running Windows XP SP3 and Office 2003 in your environment after their end of support date may expose your company to potential risks, such as:

• Security & Compliance Risks: Unsupported and unpatched environments are vulnerable to security risks. This may result in an officially recognized control failure by an internal or external audit body, leading to suspension of certifications, and/or public notification of the organization’s inability to maintain its systems and customer information.
• Lack of Independent Software Vendor (ISV) & Hardware Manufacturers support: A recent industry report from Gartner Research suggests “many independent software vendors (ISVs) are unlikely to support new versions of applications on Windows XP in 2011; in 2012, it will become common.” And it may stifle access to hardware innovation: Gartner Research further notes that in 2012, most PC hardware manufacturers will stop supporting Windows XP on the majority of their new PC models.

Get current with Windows and Office. This option has an upside well beyond keeping you supported. It offers more flexibility to empower employees to be more productive, while increasing operational efficiency through improved PC security and management. It also enables your organization to take advantage of latest technology trends such as virtualization and the cloud.

What does this mean on a practical level?

Microsoft does not allow Internet Explorer users to upgrade past version 8.0. For some secure websites, this poses an issue, since they require a later version of IE to work. A work-around is to use another browser!

Anti-virus programs may not send out updates for threats relevant to Windows XP.

After all the doom and gloom, your computer will still work, but there is potential for a lapse in security.

*=http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoftservices/what_does_end_of_support_mean.aspx 

We have seen a surge of requests regarding certain new and/or growing technologies in 2014.

Read below to see what some of them are.

What new technology do you have planned to implement in 2014? 

NEST– A thermostat which allows the customer to control the device from an app on ones cell phone. For landlords, this allows them to set the temperature and adjust it when needed, without giving the tenant control. For home owners, this allows them to save on their energy bill since it can sense when people are in the room and adjusts the temperature accordingly.

SECURITY CAMERAS – Watch your home or office from an app on your phone to always keep an eye on your property.

While security cameras have been around for a while, with the advancement of smart phones and apps, more and more home and business owners are opting in to installing a security system which includes cameras with remote viewing capabilities.

Cloud Storage and Computing – As users are using mobile devices and are connecting from multiple locations, cloud storage (the ability to store and retrieve data from the cloud as opposed to a desktop or server in your office) and cloud computing (choosing a program which is web based as opposed to software based) is increasing day by day.