August 2024 Volume 6

OPERATIONS & MANAGEMENT

your environment. If you’ve kept software versions current, migrating to Windows 11 will be a much easier process. If not, then start the process by contacting support for each application to determine Windows 11 compatibility. In addition, most PCs designed and sold in 2019 or later will work with Windows 11. Computers you’ve purchased since 2019, especially if they’re still under warranty, may be candidates for in-place upgrades. Your IT advisor can help with Windows 11 system requirements as part of your planning. If your PCs fall short of the minimum upgrade requirements you may still be able to install Windows 11, but Microsoft warns that those installations will be unsupported, and we do not recommend it. In this case, it’s time for new hardware. Depending on your environment, it may make financial sense to skip upgrading old machines and instead gradually tran sition workstations directly to Windows 11-compatible computers. One option that needs to be off the table is to continue running unsupported machines. Running unsupported software pres ents risks that far outweigh the expense of upgrading. Managing Technical Debt New technologies and new cyber threats emerge daily, so almost every organization has some level of technical debt. The good news is your IT team can help keep it under control with frequent patching, software upgrades, and hardware refreshes.

find compatibility issues with new hardware, unsupported operating systems, and diffi culty upgrading data files to catch up to a newer version. You may also incur signifi cant expenses down the road if you’re forced by the vendor to completely upgrade due to end-of-life. End-of-life is when the software vendor announces they will no longer provide support after a specific date, including feature updates or security patches. Unsupported software presents several risks, including: • Security vulnerabilities: Without crit ical security updates, systems become increasingly vulnerable to cyberattacks, data breaches, and malware. This can lead to operational disruptions, repu tational damage, and financial losses. • Compliance issues: This includes not meeting industry regulations (like PCI DSS) and the expectations of cyber liability insurers that require systems to run on supported software. After end-of-life, your software may not be considered compliant, putting your business at risk of fines and penalties. • Compatibility issues: If you plan to purchase new applications, the software may not be compatible with unsup ported systems, hindering business operations. For planning and budgeting, it’s important to be aware of end-of-life schedules for busi ness-critical software. Here are upcoming end-of-life dates for commonly used soft ware packages: • Adobe Acrobat 2020 – June 2025 (new version is subscription-based) • Microsoft Windows 10 – October 2025

• Microsoft Publisher – October 2026 • Microsoft Server 2019 – January 2029 As you can see, vendors provide these dates years in advance. Knowing them allows you to implement smooth transitions to more feature-rich and secure software. Maintain a Regular Rotation for Hardware Refreshes Industry best practices recommend that business hardware be replaced every 3-5 years. The most effective way to plan an annual hardware refresh is to review the hardware asset inventory and budget for a segment of assets to be replaced each year. This approach keeps your assets more secure and your budget more manageable. Sometimes, an operating system upgrade will require you to purchase new hardware. We’re seeing that now as businesses move to Windows 11 in anticipation of the Windows 10 end-of-life next October. How Windows 10 End-of-Life May Affect Your Hardware Inventory

An asset inventory will tell you which of your machines may be suitable for upgrades. Windows 11 was released on October 5, 2021, so machines you’ve purchased since then may already be running on Windows 11. Also, consider any compatibility issues you may encounter with other software in

Jim Kerr is President of CRU Solutions, a leading Cleveland-based managed IT services firm he founded in 1982. CRU Solutions has been serving the team at FIA for over 10 years. www.crusolutions.com Email: jim.kerr@crusolutions.com

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