What the end of support for Microsoft Windows XP means for you.
Microsoft is ending support for Windows XP as of 8th April 2014. If your business is still operating Windows XP after this date you are risking the following:
- Invasion of your PC or network by viruses and other malicious software
- Loss of system reliability
- Theft of data
- Lack of hardware driver updates
Despite this announcement many companies are still running Microsoft XP. Now is the time to act to ensure the safety and integrity of your IT infrastructure.
As you in the IT department know, for many businesses, upgrading to later versions of Windows is not as simple as choosing between Windows 7 and Windows 8 and upgrading: a significant number of older pieces of software are incompatible with the new operating systems and as a result CIO’s have often, reluctantly had to stick with the 12 year old version of Windows until now.
With April 2014 fast approaching, now is the time to ensure you have the numbers needed in your IT department to cope not only with the upgrade itself, but with the integration of existing IT systems into the new operating system as well as the inevitable training needed for other departments who may struggle with the significant changes made to the user interface of Windows 8. Complete audits will be needed of every piece of software used across the company, including those on individual employee’s BYODs. I’m sure you’ll agree it is a mammoth task.
Many IT specialists have said that even if migration to a newer version of the operating system begins today, it is unlikely to be completed before the deadline of April 8th 2014 unless you have people in place with the top-notch skills and experience needed to get the job done. Worryingly, many of our clients have reported a significant shortage of the in-house talent needed to complete the upgrade.
WE CAN HELP
Our talented and specialised IT Recruitment Consultants have access to the best IT talent in the UK and beyond. With over 14 years of experience we can help you find the superstars you need to complete every aspect of the migration to the new operating system, from Project Managers to Post-deployment support and everyone in between.
The talent to be found in the contract market has never been of higher quality but employers need to act quickly if they want to hit the deadline: both IT contract workers and permanent candidates are in demand and are being snapped up at a moment’s notice. Call us today on 0207 788 6600 to ensure you have the staffing and skill levels you need to complete the upgrade in time.
