As Windows 10 is emerging on the scene, one would think that businesses and users would be clamoring for Microsoft’s OS, Windows 8.1. This has just not been the case. Windows 7, however, has been growing more popular while Windows 8 and 8.1’s sales have plateaued.
2003 was a long time ago, and technology has come a long way since then. In just a few short months, Microsoft will be dropping support for Windows Server 2003, just like they did last year for Windows XP. Many businesses are still utilizing this server operating system, if yours is one of them, you’ll want to make sure that you upgrade away from it before July 14th, 2015. Otherwise, you’ll be running without security patches or updates.
Imagine this scenario: It’s Friday morning and your accounting department is waking up their computers to get started on payroll. Being that your company isn’t huge, but not tiny either, this typically takes up half a day’s work, meaning everything should easily be processed by close of business.
Extensive Damage
We all know the impact that data loss can have on your business. Your data is the meat and potatoes of your business. It’s an essential element of what keeps your business running day in and day out. Without your data, you are lost.
One of the biggest IT threats your company faces is not being prepared to efficiently survive an IT outage. Whenever an outage occurs, it can be quite stressful and prevent clear thinking. A business owner can feel overwhelmed with the need to get the company back up and running as quickly as possible, making speed, instead of the quality of repair, their first priority.
OK, so here’s the scenario: A virus infiltrates your office, starting with the computer of one of your employees, someone who either assumes their antivirus software will take care of the issue, or doesn’t even realize there’s a virus at all.
Staff turnover is costly. When you lose the person responsible for managing your technology – or anyone in your company who has the specialized knowledge to assume those IT duties – your entire organization can take a significant hit.
The art of war is of vital importance to the State. It is a matter of life and death, a road either to safety or to ruin. Hence it is a subject of inquiry which can on no account be neglected.
- Sun Tzu, The Art of War
The ancient Chinese military general Sun Tzu might have been around long before IT networks, but he sure knew how to make a lasting impression on the world.