Microsoft 365 – making the necessary changes

The end of extended support date for Windows 7 has been well-documented, as organisations of all sizes begin planning for life without the operating system.

Although it may seem like there’s plenty of time to prepare for the January deadline, without careful planning throughout the remainder of 2019, businesses risk the security of their daily operations.

This means taking the time to fully transition over to Windows 10 and Microsoft 365, ensuring all in-house equipment is updated and staff have been trained to use the new technology.

Of course, the process of updating your company’s equipment can seem daunting, but with the support of an experienced team of IT specialists, your business can identify and implement a solution that meets its unique needs.

What will end of extended support mean?

On January 14, 2020 Microsoft will officially end its support of the operating system, meaning they will no longer provide updates that ensure continued user security.

Although users may continue using Windows 7, any future bugs or flaws will go untreated, which could potentially threaten the security of many organisations who do not upgrade their equipment.

With the older Windows 7 version currently used by 40% of the public, failing to make the shift over to Microsoft 365 could create serious long-term issues for many unsuspecting businesses.

Opting for Microsoft 365

For those businesses who still haven’t updated their equipment, the switchover to Windows 10 and Microsoft 365 can provide the most productive, secure and cost-effective experience for users and IT departments alike.

Shifting to a modern desktop can unlock a wide range of opportunities for your organisation, enhancing in-house collaboration between colleagues, while protecting company systems from incoming threats.

Microsoft 365 combines the best-in-class productivity apps of Office 365 with advanced security and device management capabilities, delivering a competitive advantage to businesses.

While improving the efficiency of business operations remains a priority, upgrading to the more sophisticated Microsoft 365 system also give businesses access to a range of tools capable of turning data into important insights.

It may be tempting to ignore the impending deadline and to continue using the Windows 7 operating system, but the untapped potential that could be accessed with an equipment upgrade should encourage you to take the changes seriously.

Don’t get caught out…

When it comes to planning and finding an alternative solution for Windows 7, our team of specialists have the experience and expertise needed to deliver exceptional results.

Rather than following a ‘one size fits all’ approach and introducing the same Windows 10 and Microsoft 365 solution for all of our clients, we tailor each package to meet your unique requirements.

One of the most common mistakes businesses looking to upgrade their equipment make is avoiding the changes or leaving them too late, reaching a point where the deadline is around the corner and no noticeable improvements have been made.

Without a clear plan or strategy for how your organisation will adapt post-deadline, you will struggle to make the correct decisions that put the needs of your business first.

If an equipment upgrade is still on your to do list for 2019, consult our in-house team and begin the planning process immediately.