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Nothing lasts forever and this is especially true when it comes to technology. If you’re using old computers, servers, and other equipment, you’re leaving your livelihood at risk. There’s no simpler way to put it. Eventually, all equipment reaches the end of its life – even if it’s not broken or unusable, it’s better to upgrade than wait until it does crash and fail. In some cases, outdated equipment won’t even crash and fail, but instead, become exploited as cybercriminals learn the vulnerabilities within old technology. So what outdated technologies should you be thinking about upgrading now?
First and foremost, Windows 7, the popular operating system, is reaching its end of support on January 14, 2020. This means there will no longer be bug fixes or security patches released to keep the operating system safe and reliable. You can, of course, opt to pay for up to three years of patches, but this isn’t always cost-efficient.
Absolutely. Microsoft will no longer be offering support for Windows 7, which means there will be nothing to protect you against cyber-attacks. To make matters worse, your other software could become incompatible with the operating system, which leaves you unable to get work done in a productive manner.
Before January 14, 2020, it’s important to upgrade away from Windows 7. Take a look at your hardware and see if it’ll support an upgrade to Windows 10. It’s a great time to purchase any hardware necessary because you’re able to take advantage of the Section 179 tax deduction before 12/31/19.
Although an IT company can help you determine whether or not your existing computer will support Windows 10, it’s likely worth looking at purchasing a new computer because as technology advances, computers become more powerful with longer battery life and greater security. It’s wise to replace computers every four years.
Next, Windows Server 2008 needs to be upgraded. End-of-life mainstream support for Windows Server ended on January 13, 2015. But on January 14, 2020, Microsoft will be ending support altogether. If you’re still running Windows Server 2003 or running Hyper-V on a Windows Server 2008 R2 platform, it’s time to migrate away from these technologies.
Absolutely. Again, once the end-of-life is here, there will no longer be bug fixes, security patches, and other safety measures released. Cybercriminals will be aware of all the vulnerabilities within the system, and as a result, there will be a massive amount of attacks against companies running it. If you continue using Windows Server 2008 R2 to any degree, you should expect:
All three available editions of Windows Server 2008 R2 will be unsupported after January 14, 2020. This includes:
Unfortunately, Windows Server 2008 R2 is tightly integrated into the day-to-day functions of MANY businesses.
You have two options. First, you can upgrade to a newer version of Windows Server/SQL Server. This will allow you to remain on-premises, but there is no direct upgrade path without performing a clean install – meaning you’ll have to upgrade to Windows Server 2012 first, in order to preserve settings.
Next, you can opt to migrate to Microsoft Azure. This is a great choice for those who don’t require applications on-premises. The initial setup will be incredibly fast – giving you peace of mind knowing the migration process won’t slow you down. Plus, you’ll have high-redundancy and high-availability.
Section 179 is actually far from complicated, despite many people feeling as though it’s too complex to use. Section 179 of the IRS tax code lets you deduct the full purchase price of qualifying equipment or software that is bought or financed throughout the tax year. Basically, you deduct the entire purchase price from your gross income. There are caps to the total amount written off. For instance, 2019 offers a limit of $1,000,000. There are also caps to the total amount of the equipment purchased. For instance, 2019 offers a limit of $2,500,000.
Ultimately, Section 179 makes it simpler than ever for businesses to stay up-to-date in terms of technology without breaking the bank. It’s a great incentive to help businesses avoid running outdated, unsupported equipment for financial reasons.
Matt Mercier and the expert team of Acapella Technologies want to be your trusted advisors and partners for every aspect of your business’ IT needs! To learn more about our IT company in Manchester, give us a call at (603) 647-1784 or send us an email at [email protected].
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