In 2002 Microsoft introduced its Support Lifecycle policy based on customer feedback to have more transparency and predictability of support for Microsoft products. As per this policy, Microsoft Business and Developer products, including Windows and Office products, receive a minimum of 10 years of support (5 years Mainstream Support and 5 years Extended Support), at the supported service pack level.

Thus, Windows XP SP3 and Office 2003 will go out of support on April 8, 2014. If your organization has not started the migration to a modern desktop, you are late. Based on historical customer deployment data, the average enterprise deployment can take 18 to 32 months from business case through full deployment. To ensure you remain on supported versions of Windows and Office, you should begin your planning and application testing immediately to ensure you deploy before end of support.

What does end of support mean to customers?

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 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.

How do I begin my migration?

Speak to one of our Microsoft Qualified Engineers at Jupiter on 0845 0529698 or email info@jupiterit.co.uk for friendly free advice.

Windows 8 has a lot to like, but the road to adoption–especially early adoption–could be rocky for some Small and Medium-sized Enterprise.
8 Key Differences Between Windows 8 And Windows RT
Yet some of the same factors generating excitement about Windows 8–mobility and a sleek new look-and-feel are exhibits A and B–could also create high hurdles for some SMEs on the path to adoption. Those hurdles can be cleared provided you know they’re coming. Here are four to consider as you work to avoid getting tripped up.
1. Still on XP? Windows XP is still widely loved–as evidenced by the fact that it’s still widely used, even with Microsoft set to pull the plug on support in April 2014. Depending on whose numbers and methodology you use, XP still powers between 20% and 40% of all PCs. That holds true when focusing only on SME users: 24% of UK based SMEs are still running XP, according to recent data. That jumps to 43% of SMEs globally.
SMEs still on XP face a more complex upgrade choice, because they’d be skipping two versions to get to the newest one. Some XP shops are already underway with a migration to Windows 7 or just recently completed one. Then there’s the fact that XP users are likely using older hardware. Though it might meet the minimum technical requirements for Windows 8, that gear probably isn’t going to deliver a productive experience. Windows 8 simply wasn’t developed for XP-era hardware.
Can you upgrade directly from Windows XP to Windows 8? Yes. Should you? Maybe, maybe not. Migrating to Windows 7 is generally viewed as the safer move for XP desktop and laptop users.
[ If you are upgrading, plan carefully ]
2. Hardware costs. Even relatively new hardware won’t necessarily be optimal. Microsoft acknowledges as much in its Windows 8 Release Preview info. Windows 8 was designed for touch; legacy Windows equipment was not. Software upgrade prices may be palatable for SMEs, but new hardware likely means a significant capital expenditure. The best Windows 8 experience will require new devices–touch-screen PCs, tablets, or some combination of the two. A reasonably optimal deployment might stick with non-touch PCs but still require investing in new tablets–that hardware simply didn’t exist until now in Windows environments, so there’s no such strategy as extending the hardware refresh cycle.
3. User disruption. Whether you’re responsible for one person or 100–or 1,000 people, for that matter–there’s no way around the fact that Windows 8 looks and feels much different than previous versions. The UI overhaul can be managed but not ignored. Some InformationWeek readers have pointed out the new UI isn’t rocket science–it just takes a little getting used to. They’re probably right; they’re also probably more technical than the typical user. (If you’ve been using Windows 8 since day one, that’s you.) For everyone else, there’s going to be a learning curve–something the IT pros who help them can’t scoff at. Reader “Mark532010″ notes that while a teenager might not miss a beat with Windows 8, “for the existing non-expert people who use Windows to get their work done it will be a nightmare. … It will be quite difficult for me as a support person.”
4. BYOD office. Windows 8 could become a single platform to bridge the gap between home and office. That would appeal to IT departments that don’t want to deal with employee-owned iPads and other devices on the corporate network.

There in lies a Catch-22: Love or hate BYOD, deploying Windows 8 is no easy fix. If you’re in the “love” category, that means you probably have a cornucopia of devices and OSes on your network already; Windows 8 is just another one. If you’re on the “hate” side of the BYOD spectrum, refer back to point number two. It’s tough to enforce a no-BYOD policy without offering employees a company-issued alternative. It could get very expensive for SMBs to outfit their personnel for Windows 8, particularly if an employee needs multiple devices–PC, tablet, and phone. Theoretical BYOD salvation comes with a real cost.
Upgrading isn’t the easy decision that Win 7 was. We take a close look at Server 2012, changes to mobility and security.
Need assistance with your IT systems? Call the Jupiter Team or email info@jupiterit.co.uk

Same day services are available for a small supplement. Why not grab a coffee from one of the fine coffee shops in the area whilst we fix your iPhone or iPad.

Call us for a quotation on 01482 935571

From Virus removal to replacement screens, we do it all. We have over 20 Years experience in computer repairs and always quote before performing any repair work.

Come and see us at 129 Chanterlands Avenue or call 01482 935571 or email info@jupiterit.co.uk for a free estimate of repair.

Our qualified engineers can fix anything from virus removal to dead hard disks. Don’t leave it in the hands of amateurs, let trained engineers with over 20 years experience take a look.

We always quote before we carry out any repair work, giving you complete piece of mind. For a free quote Call 01482 935571 or email info@jupiterit.co.uk

Our qualified engineers can fix anything from broken screens to motherboard faults. We have years experience. Every laptop is treated as if it were our own.

We always quote before we carry out any repair work, giving you complete piece of mind. For a free quote Call 01482 935571 or email info@jupiterit.co.uk

With an army of satisfied customers, and a level of customer service that is unmatched in the area there’s no wonder Jupiter IT are the fastest growing IT provider in the Hull region.
But don’t just take our word for it ………… read some of our testimonials.

We don’t just take your money every month like some providers. All of our customer have the benefits of instant access to our qualified engineers and the following as standard :-

• Unlimited Telephone Support.
• Unlimited Dial in Support.
• Liaise with 3rd party software companies where needed.
• Reduced Engineer Call out when needed.
• Assistance and Advice regarding the running and configuration of the network.
• Assistance regarding the running and configuration of any workstation or device.
• 24 hour 7 day a week IT helpdesk call logging telephone system.
• Remote monitoring of File Server including backups etc.
• Patch and update management of Email Server
• General Advice.

For Grade A IT Support in Hull – Call our friendly team on 01482 935571
For IT That Doesn’t Cost the Earth !!

We have been repairing iPhone, iPad, and iPods since their release and have a wealth of unmatched experience in the Hull area. From cracked screens, to replacement batteries, we fix them all.

Come and see one of our friendly engineers today at the 129 Chanterlands Avenue, Hull or Call us on 01482 935571. We will not be beaten on price !!!

With a same day service option available and hundreds of satisfied customers there is no wonder Jupiter IT are the number 1 choice for iPad, iPhone and iPod repairs in the Hull area.

We have been repairing iPhone, iPad, and iPods since their release and have a wealth of unmatched experience in the Hull area. From cracked screens, to replacement batteries, we fix them all.

Come and see one of our friendly engineers today at the 129 Chanterlands Avenue, Hull or Call us on 01482 935571. We will not be beaten on price !!!

With a same day service option available and hundreds of satisfied customers there is no wonder Jupiter IT are the number 1 choice for iPad, iPhone and iPod repairs in the Hull area.

From IT Support contracts, to full system installations ……… we are your one stop shop for IT Solutions.

For information on how Jupiter IT can help your company grow call 01482 935571 or email info@jupiterit.co.uk