Technology doesn’t last forever, and this is especially true for software solutions. Granted, software is a little easier to upgrade than hardware, as they can be administered patches and updates remotely, but what happens after that support ends? Well, it turns out that the widely used Microsoft SQL Server 2008 and 2008 R2 will both be reaching their end of support date soon, meaning businesses will need a plan in place to overcome these challenges.

Outdated software is a routine problem in the business sector, especially for organizations that don’t routinely update their software and reassess their IT infrastructure. Of course, the fact that a lot of organizations don’t invest in the updates and patches is also telling, as not all businesses have the staff and support needed to implement these solutions when they are needed. We’ll dig into what exactly End of Support means, what else is reaching its End of Support date soon, and what you must do about it.

What Does “End of Life” Mean?

End of Life, also known as End of Support, is a term used to identify software solutions that will not receive any patches or security updates after a certain period of time has passed. For select Microsoft products, there is what’s called the Extended Security Update, but it’s only for a maximum of three years. It’s honestly more efficient and cost-effective to upgrade away from your old systems, not just because the new ones are likely more dynamic, but because the old ones will wind up costing your business a fortune in the long run.

What You Should Do ASAP

Think about the potential ramifications of your business failing to implement security patches and updates. You could be paying for the fallout from a major security breach, and after you’ll be forced to upgrade anyway, knowing that the breach could well have been prevented if you had just taken more preventative measures. That being said, it’s never too early to start thinking about the future of your infrastructure, as well as the multitude of responsibilities that come with managing, maintaining, and upgrading your business’ technology.

What we recommend doing right now is simple: consult this list of upcoming End of Support dates and take the necessary steps toward upgrading away from them… before it’s too late. As for the latter, we can be of assistance.

We Can Help!

Your business has enough on its plate without worrying about upgrading its technology infrastructure. Working with a managed service provider can make it more affordable and accessible, leaving your organization with much more time to accomplish its duties without sacrificing security. 415 IT can help keep track of your business’ technology, including any potential upcoming End of Support events. To learn more, reach out to us at (415) 295-4898.