Microsoft will end its support for Windows XP on April 8, 2014. After that date, because Microsoft will no longer be providing free security updates or customer support, businesses running Windows XP on any part of their IT infrastructure will be extremely vulnerable to zero-day threats and will have their IT support costs go up dramatically. Businesses, unless they’re capable of developing their own XP security patches or providing their own technical support (unless, in other words, they have the resources and manpower of a $150 billion company like Microsoft), basically have no choice but to upgrade from Windows XP.
At the same time, however, many businesses, because of the costs or the incompatibility of their applications with version of the operating system after Windows XP, are simply unable to upgrade to a Windows 7- or Windows 8-based infrastructure. That’s why, as of September 2013, it was still being used by 33.66% of all computers (making it the 2nd most popular desktop OS in the world after Windows 7) and 28% of businesses were still running more than half of their applications on it—despite the fact that many of them are aware of the extraordinary risks of maintaining a Windows XP infrastructure after April 8 of next year.
Despite the seeming hopelessness of their position, there’s an easy way for these businesses to upgrade their IT infrastructure to Windows 7 or Windows 8, however, and that’s for them to sign up for Hosted Desktops from IronOrbit. These virtual hosted desktops of ours look and perform the same as locally-installed Windows desktop operating systems. Best of all for businesses that have refrained from upgrading away from Windows XP because of cost or compatibility constraints are IronOrbit Hosted VDIs’ low, flat monthly costs and their compatibility with ANY application, including legacy and customized apps.
In addition, our hosted desktops don’t require the purchase or maintenance of any on-site servers; they can be accessed from anywhere with any Internet-connected computer, tablet, or smartphone; and they come with 24x7x365 all-inclusive technical support, our Orbital Security System, Atomic Speed Technology, managed data backups, and a 100% uptime guarantee.
There are actually several different ways that such businesses can use IronOrbit Hosted Desktops to upgrade their IT infrastructure to a newer version of Windows, and they include:
- Sign up for Windows XP Hosted Desktops from IronOrbit. Host applications that are only compatible with Windows XP on the Windows XP Hosted Desktops. To avoid security problems, don’t use Windows XP Hosted Desktops to browse the Internet or open emails. Use mobile devices or computers running Windows 7, Windows 8, or Mac OS for these tasks and to access newer applications.
- Sign up for Windows 7 or Windows 8 Hosted Desktops from IronOrbit. Continue accessing locally-installed XP applications from a computer with a Windows XP operating system, but don’t browse the Internet or open emails when using Windows XP. Perform these actions only from within Windows 7 or Windows 8 Hosted Desktops.
- Sign up for Application Hosting from IronOrbit. Let IronOrbit host your applications that are only compatible with Windows XP. Access the Hosted Applications from any Windows XP, Windows 7, or Windows 8 Hosted Desktop; or from any PC, thin client, or mobile device (the Hosted Applications are processed and stored on a server running the equivalent of Windows XP, so the operating system of the users’ device doesn’t matter).
We’re available 24x7x365 at [email protected] or (888) 753-5060 for businesses that want to get the Windows XP upgrade process started. Don’t procrastinate and let the April 8, 2014 deadline sneak up on you—contact us and sign up for our Hosted Desktops today!