Still using Microsoft Server 2003? Read this!

The Problem

Microsoft has announced that they are ending support for Server 2003 in July, 2015.  This means that as of this date, Microsoft will stop releasing security updates and non-security hotfixes for any servers running Server 2003, leaving your systems vulnerable to possible security attacks and without support for mission-critical systems.

The reason for the end of life, put simply, is that Server 2003 is now considered “old technology”. If you think about the leaps and bounds made in the technology sector over the past 10 years, it’s easy to see why an operating system that runs the mission-critical systems for many businesses, needs to be migrated to something more secure, more powerful and better able to integrate easily with newer versions of other software that businesses use to run its day-to-day operations.

The Solution

There are many different solutions to consider when looking at migrating your 2003 server and we have outline some items below:

Step 1. Assess the IT needs of your business.  

What is working for you, what isn’t working so great and how can things be done more efficiently?  Spend some time analyzing where you are and where you need to go.  We have many network analysts that will work with you to assess your business network and provide a clear solution.

Step 2. Find out if the Cloud is right for you!

Most likely, it is! Cloud services offer businesses cost savings and better efficiency for items you use every day such as email, virus protection, online backup & file storage. The solutions are designed to meet your needs to make it affordable, no matter what the size of your business.

Step 3. Create a Plan 

Once you know your options, work with your IT professionals to make a solid plan for transition. This is an important step to ensure nothing is missed and that any vendor software you use, will work properly with an upgraded system.  No one likes surprises, especially when it comes to mission-critical systems!

Don’t wait until the last minute!

With thousands of businesses needing to upgrade from Server 2003, you can be sure that scheduling should be a top priority. Last minute migrations tend to result in problems, errors, or functional issues with your applications that would then require immediate assistance – costing you more in the long run.

We welcome any questions that you have concerning your business network – contact us today!

Take the first step – It’s easy & it’s free

You have a lot of questions about how Server 2003 upgrade affects your business. We have the answers. Complete the form below for business network analysis.