Microsoft to end support for XP & Office 2003

While Windows XP is no longer the most used operating system on the planet - Windows 7 surpassed it last year - the upcoming April 2014 deadline to receive support for older Windows XP devices raises the question for many businesses of what to do with their older technology as they look to protect valuable IP and customer information. Even businesses which are using Office 2003 need to migrate to Office 365 as at the same time Microsoft will end support for it as well.

Business and personal technology has dramatically changed over the last decade. PC desktops are now commonly found side by side with laptops, and newer form factors like Ultrabooks, All in Ones, and tablets. Writeable CDs are today replaced by cloud-based storage solutions like SkyDrive. Connectivity and accessibility once limited to offices is now possible at home, in the car or even on a beach. The newest versions of Windows and Office that Microsoft released recently, Windows 8 and Office 365, reflects this evolution.

As Windows XP goes off into the sunset, many of the applications that were originally written for it will cost extra in support costs -especially as independent software vendors increasingly stop supporting their newer apps running on Windows XP.

Office 365 offers customers multiple ways to on-board to the service. Each customer has a different need when looking at migrating, so it often depends on the customer's goals. With an ever-increasing lineup of Windows 8 form factors to choose from - from notebooks, tablets and All in Ones that use touch - one can replace older hardware with a newer Windows device that reflects the unique needs of employees and how they prefer to work today. Businesses in particular are feeling the most pressure to stay up-to-date, with an increasing need to protect their data and manage all their devices, all while ensuring security and compliance.

Many Indian companies have taken this informed decision by migrating to Windows 8 and Office 365. Companies such as Wipro, BIAL, Essar, BOB, TCS amongst others have deployed Windows 8. Also, there are plethora of companies like Godrej industries, Tata Elxsi, GAV Technologies Unilog et al. that have deployed Office 365. If companies are not sure what's the right solution for them - Microsoft is offering a variety of resources to help businesses, including deals through sites like www.Get2Modern.com.