Microsoft lists the arguments it uses to convince users, especially small businesses, that the impending end of Windows XP support is an opportunity to upgrade. Among them, it states that it is "very likely" that replacing older computers and upgrading to the new Windows and Office will cost less, that applications developed for XP will not evolve, and that XP is (already) 5 times more vulnerable than Windows 8.1.
However, the company is expected to announce the first Update to Windows 8.1 soon. The changes that this update will bring are said to be the facilitation of the use of the operating system with the traditional keyboard and mouse rather than with the touch (since many systems do not have a touch screen) and the appearance of tiles for the search, the shutdown of the system and the settings on the so-called Start surface so that the user does not have to search for them by dragging the mouse to the right to the side (although the search works by typing literally blindly). It is also said that it will facilitate the closing of apps (which is done by dragging the application window with the mouse to the bottom of the screen).
You can read Microsoft's arguments titled "The era of Windows XP is over: What it means for small businesses and why you shouldn't wait to upgrade"
“A lot has changed in the last decade since Microsoft Corp. launched Windows XP and Office 2003. Hardware is less expensive, devices are smaller, operating systems are faster and mobile phones are smarter than ever.
Furthermore, the way we work has changed today, more than ever. We are more mobile and more social at work. However, despite all these developments, according to Stat Counter, about 21% of computers worldwide still use Windows XP.
There's no better time for small businesses to upgrade their technologies to Windows 8.1 and Office 365. That's because starting April 8, 2014, Microsoft will no longer provide security updates for Windows XP and Office 2003, and businesses will no longer be able to receive technical support from the company.
Of course, technology isn’t the only thing that has changed in the past decade. Much has changed in terms of what customers and employees expect from small businesses. According to a recent Microsoft survey of more than 1,400 consumers, one of the ways customers evaluate a business is by the technology it uses. Specifically, about two-thirds said a small business is considered outdated if its operating system or computers are between 5 and 10 years old.
For many businesses, giving their employees and customers what they want is reason enough to upgrade their systems. “Small businesses are concerned about their growth. Modern technologies like Windows 8.1 and Office 365 are empowering small businesses to work smarter, grow their customer base, and become more profitable,” said Thomas Hansen, Vice President, Worldwide Small and Medium Business, Microsoft. “Today, technology is enabling small businesses to compete successfully with larger competitors. In fact, a recent Boston Consulting Group study shows that tech-savvy small businesses created new jobs twice as fast and grew profits 15 percent faster than those using less advanced technology.”
What does "support fee" mean for businesses?
The end of support does not mean that Windows XP and Office 2003 will suddenly stop working on April 8, 2014. However, there will no longer be security updates or technical support for Windows XP, which can lead to serious problems, including the following:
- Higher costs and lower productivity: Reducing operating expenses and improving employee productivity are among the top priorities for small businesses. So it’s no surprise that 47% of small businesses said that lack of resources is a major reason for not replacing older computers, even though they often experience problems and reduce productivity (Techaisle, 2013). However, in the long run, replacing older computers and upgrading to the latest Windows and Office is likely to cost less. According to the same survey, small businesses spend an average of $427 on repairs for computers that are 4 years or older, not to mention the hours of lost productivity to resolve the problems.
- Exposure to security and compatibility risks: Security is, of course, a major concern for all businesses. Unsupported and unpatched computers are vulnerable to security risks. In fact, a recent study by Microsoft's Trustworthy Computing team found that XP is 5 times more vulnerable to risks and attacks than Windows 8.1.
- Lack of new applications: After April 8, 2014, application developers and independent solution providers who implement for Windows XP will not release new upgrades for existing applications and will not create new solutions for them. In other words, any solutions that exist on current Windows XP will remain as they are, in terms of features and improvements. Your computers will not evolve simultaneously with your customer, but also with the modern demands of the competitive market.
