October 2019 Newsletter

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Virus Alert – Please Be Aware

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If you open any current or previous Microsoft Word document that shows the following, please close immediately and delete.  
 
Do not click Enable Editing!

Please contact one of our technical team members if you have any questions or concerns.

REMINDER

Microsoft ending support for Small Business Servers (SBS)
January 14 2020

IS YOUR BUSINESS PREPARED?

Microsoft is ceasing support to several server products on January 14th, 2020. This directly affects you if your business is currently using Small Business Server 2011, Server 2008 and Exchange Server 2010. The countdown to January 2020 is on, and preparations should begin sooner rather than later keeping in mind Christmas breaks.

End of Life (EOL)

When software companies decide to announce the end of life for software, it means that it will no longer be serviced or maintained. There will be no support for issues, no patches, updates or security alerts issued. Continuing to use this software is extremely risky, as there are multiple serious drawbacks from using unmonitored software. There is often resistance to updating or changing to new software after a favourite reaches EOL however the consequences should not be ignored. Businesses leave themselves vulnerable in various ways if they continue to use Small Business Server software after the published expiry date.

Here’s why –

  • It’s a security risk
  • It can cost money later
  • There may be compliance issues
  • Compatibility may not be there

REMINDER

Farewell to Windows 7 – If you are using Windows 7, read on…

Microsoft will end support on January 14, 2020

Okay so what does this really mean for you?

It means security breaches; anyone or any business running a Windows 7 operating system on their PC will become vulnerable to security threats.

Why and action required:

Microsoft will discontinue Windows 7 support, technical assistance and software updates from Windows Updates that helps to protect your PC. Microsoft strongly recommends that you move to Windows 10 before January 2020 to avoid a situation where you need service or support that is no longer available. As security patches and updates will no longer be implemented, Windows 7 workstations will be left vulnerable to security breaches.

Currently, Microsoft will continue to patch any security threats however; we strongly recommend upgrading workstations before the January 2020 deadline and ask you to start thinking of upgrading now to avoid the rush of the deadline. Updating IT infrastructure can take time and the deadline is just after the Christmas break which will be upon us before you know it. In addition, line of business software may also need to be evaluated for Windows 10 compatibility.

If your business is upgrading its old infrastructure in preparation for the January 2020 deadline, IRIS IT can assist you with the supply of new workstations, notebooks and servers. We also have reliable solutions and experienced technicians for managing data migration, new equipment installation and the disposal of old equipment, if required.

Uncertain if your business is affected by this deadline? IRIS IT can audit your infrastructure and determine if it will be affected by the January 2020 end of support date and advise you of any other end of life dates. If you have any queries or concerns about your IT requirements and the 2020 end of support date or if you would like to make arrangements to upgrade, please contact us today.

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