Office Document Strategies Blog

Microsoft has announced that Windows Server 2008, Version 1 and Revision 2, will no longer be receive critical updates and support options except in very specific circumstances as of January 14, 2020.  Of course at that time this server package will be at least 11 or 12 years old and it is not unreasonable to expect that users upgrade to newer and more robust and serviceable server software.  When you re

alize that the underlying OS for Server 2008 (1) was Vista and for Rev(2) Windows 7 it is easier to see why changes might be in order.  

One of the key parts of any IT technology strategy in a business is having the right kinds and levels of support available to underpin your operations.  The days are long gone where every organization can have the knowledge base and the personnel in place to be able to handle every IT related eventuality. 

When you think of all of the components of the complexity of your IT systems being able to understand who and how your systems are being supported is critical to your design and comfort level.

Software

Every business has several levels of software which are important to the business.

• ERP or business operations software
• Network operating systems with components like backup, email security, data management structures
• Cloud based software pieces including related storage and backup
• Communications software which may also include phone system software

Hardware

• Hardware components including workstations, point of input devices like physical security systems, server components, connectivity components like routers, switches and wireless infrastructure
• Mobile hardware devices including computers and smart tools like tablets and phones
• Scanning hardware whether stand alone or networked
• Print hardware including multifunction print devices and tools
• Related hardware management tools and supplies

Communications

There are several streams of communications systems that every business uses and these include phone systems, email systems, online and in house business transaction systems like shopping stores and inventory management.

Group meeting chat software and tools are also a piece of this area and for some businesses have become the primary ways for widely dispersed employee groups to meet and interact.

The whole network system infrastructure is often a big part of the communication system as cloud based services and tools become more integrated and prevalent.

Production systems

For some businesses a big part of their IT environment is dominated by production related resources.  This is a critical yet specialized part of operations such as manufacturing and other process type industries.

Even in service industries like restaurants, health services, education and others this kind of infrastructure can become a big part of the operation. 

Where is support coming from?

At one time if a business wanted IT infrastructure it was a process of hiring expertise in house, figuring out what hardware and software was needed to be purchased, decide on a computing platform and then start building it.  The process challenged even the most knowledgeable businesses as the choices to be made and the risks were extremely varied and costly. 

It seemed that it was a never ending road of new purchases, tough deployment and constant training.  I can remember doing an implementation for a client when they were introducing their employees to using a windows based system for the first time )moving from an old green screen package) and they had to get their employees to do some playing with some games software so they could learn to use a mouse for navigation.

Today the options available for a business seem even more challenging as decisions are made on whether to build it themselves or hire out the process to an 'expert' that supports their kind of business.  The range of options are massive with the potential for a business to try to be almost hands off on their IT to being totally responsible and immersed.

While the dollars committed to IT systems continue to grow in businesses the needs for connected services, web support, online purchasing and online communication require an even bigger range of expertise.  Trying to acquire and pay for all of this talent in house has become almost impossible except for very large organizations.

So how well are the offerings available working out?

The story seems to be mixed if recent information is correct.

CanadianCIO Census 2018 reveals outsourcing disappointment is still commonplace

With AWS Outposts, even Amazon acknowledges it’s a hybrid cloud world

These two articles outline some of the thoughts regarding two of the most common ways that businesses have structured use of outside resources to accomplish some of their IT goals.  Reading them shows that all is not perfect and the vendors, even the big ones like Amazon, are finding the need to respond and to provide more options to meet the needs of clients.

As it as always been the world of IT systems support and design continues to challenge businesses as they try to use these systems to support their own goals and operations.  Outsourcing can work, but it can also leave managers wondering whether they have done it right.  In house seems fine but the need to constantly manage upgrades and software changes gets tiresome.  Hybrid models where some is done in house and some outside seem better often, but making sure that nothing falls into the cracks between is important.  

One of the most challenging things for businesses looking for IT support is matching their needs to vendor's delivery capabilities and models.  There is a lot of discussion in the IT industry around how best to deliver I.T. services in a cost effective and efficient manner.  Whether this is being done well is always a question to consider.

A major Labour Market Study looking at the Canadian IT landscape from 2015 to 2019 says that there is a need for more IT talent over the next four years in Canada.

Like Windows XP last year, Microsoft has announced the impending end for Windows Server 2003 with support stopping July 14 2015.  What this means is that Microsoft will no longer issue security and bug updates for this server platform effective this coming July.