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magazine
08
agenda
Ovum estimates that 28% of corporateWindows computers are still
running XP, for which Microsoft is withdrawing extended support on
April 8 2014; 70% are already runningWindows 7.
Instead of paying for an expensiveWindows upgrade, Ovum is advising
Windows XP users to consider a number of alternative responses to the loss
of support.
Principal analyst Richard Edwards said: “The cost of upgrading hundreds
or thousands of desktop and laptop computers to a new operating system
is significant in terms of time and money, so organisations should consider
how their IT budgets might be invested in more innovative projects. First
of all, if we assume that Windows XP systems have the latest patches, fixes
and up-to-date security software installed (and that Internet Explorer 6 has
been replaced with a more modern web browser), then there is no reason to
believe that life after 08/04/2014 will be any different than before it.”
Ovum recommends the following three options:
1:
Consider desktop virtualisation. Used in conjunction with application
virtualisation, virtualised desktop infrastructure (VDI) can bring expensive-
to-run distributed desktop environments back under centralized control and
administration.
2:
Consider replacingWindows XP laptops with tablet computers. AWindows
laptop is overkill for many field-based employees and they cost much more
to service and support than an Android or iOS tablet.
3:
Consider switching to Google Chrome OS. Cloud computing has come of
age and many corporate IT users now spend most of their time using web-
based rather than locally installed applications and services.
www.ovum.com
Business on a shoestring
To mark the launch of O2 Lease, which
enables a business to get an iPhone 5 on a
12 month tariff with no upfront cost, O2
Business has released research showing
that half of small businesses start with an
investment of less than £2,500.
Even when industries such as manufacturing,
construction and transport are taken into
account, the average working capital needed in
a business’s first year is just £17,095.
The desire to reduce upfront costs, says
O2, explains why 48% of respondents prefer
renting/leasing over outright purchase.
The most popular items to rent or lease
are a phone line (62%); office space (40%);
photocopiers (28%); franking machines
(28%); water-coolers (21%); cars/vans (18%);
smartphones/tablets (13%);
coffee makers and vending
machines (13%); and
IT equipment
(11%).
O2 Lease
offers an iPhone
5 with no
cost upfront
Digital donkeys
The average consumer now carries 2.9 devices,
according to an international survey of more
than 2,200 visitors to Sophos’ Naked Security
site. German respondents had the highest
average (3.1) and were also the most likely
to carry a laptop. The UK average is 2.7.
Smartphones are the most popular device,
carried by 85% of respondents, and eReaders
the least popular (29%).
www.sophos.com
Did you know?
More than half of UK employees don’t think stealing confidential corporate data is wrong. In a
survey by Symantec, 55% admitted to taking confidential data when they leave a company, with
40% taking it to use in their new jobs. Just 30% believe their managers view data protection as a
business priority. Only 27% of UK employees realise it is a crime to use a competitor’s confidential
business information.
One in five to continue
using XP
A survey of 250 CIOs, CTOs and IT Directors
by rationalisation specialists Camwood
shows that while 82% of IT professionals in
businesses with 2,000+ employees are aware
of the demise of Windows XP on April 8
2014, only 42% of companies have started to
migrate away from the workhorse operating
system. Microsoft has advised businesses to
leave an 18-30 month window for successful
migration away from XP.
Nearly one in five IT decision makers currently
running XP plans to continue usingWindows
XP after the end of free security patching and
support, putting their business at risk of cyber
attacks, security breaches, theft and exploitation.
Adrian Foxall, CEO of Camwood, said: “In
these tough economic times, it is not surprising
that business leaders do not want to invest a
substantial amount of money in something
that essentially isn’t broken, as is the case with
Windows XP today. But with an estimated 40%
of business desktops still runningWindows XP
and with the clock ticking, IT and the board need
to join forces and work together to migrate to a
new OS that will support their organisation now
and into the future. Failure to do so will put their
company in jeopardy.”
www.camwood.com
Photo
courtesy of Apple
Amazon’s most advanced e-reader to date,
the Kindle Paperwhite has 62% more pixels
and 25% greater contrast than the previous
generation Kindle; a patented built-in reading
light; and up to 8 weeks of battery life.
One in four Windows PCs still running XP
Where appropriate, Ovum recommends replacingWindows laptops with
tablet computers. Photo shows a Booqpad mini case for carrying an iPad
Mini, paper notepad, business cards, stylus, pen, cash and documents. The
carrying case is available in leatherette or 100% natural jute and costs £40.
www.booqbags.co.uk