Corporations, which are still having trouble getting rid of their Windows XP machines, are facing an even bigger challenge — the shutting down of Windows Server 2003.
The server software is about to be chopped and many companies still use it – after all it has provided more than a decade of loyal service.
From 14 July 2015, Windows Server 2003 users with a standard support package will not receive updates or patches. Microsoft is offering continued support for those who want to pay extra, but that defeats the purpose of not upgrading.
The software itself is more than a decade old it has become a multi-layered mess of patches and updates to keep pace with changes in business and technology. It also contains code which is so old that most people have forgotten about it.
It also belongs to a time when the network was the main deal, and the Internet was just something you sent email on, and looked at really terrible webpages. Most security problems were internal.
Yet for some reason Windows Server 2003 is still there and companies do not appear to be rushing to get rid of it.
Microsoft estimates there are more than 10 million live systems relying on Windows Server 2003, with almost one-third of those being in Europe.
The main problem is that most companies depend on software which might not work with the new operating systems.
Either way all this is a good sales opportunity for businesses wanting to offer upgrade services.
