Windows “Whistler” XP – August 2001 – April 2014

Still running Microsoft Windows XP in your business?  In April 2014,  Microsoft is switching support for XP OFF.

This is no joke: Microsoft is putting XP to the grave. There will be no more security updates or patches. If you’re still using it and a weakness or exploit is found, tough luck: there will be no fix nor protection from Microsoft anymore.  Your computer security WILL be at risk.

From experience, this is not a small or minute problem. Over 35% of all office PCs in Ireland are still running Windows XP. The public sector – including schools, hospitals, government departments, authorities and other institutions – also use the 12-year-old operating system in large numbers. From April 2014, these departments will be at risk, FACT.

Depending on the size of your business and the amount of devices in use, if you haven’t already started transferring over to Windows 8 or even Windows 7, it’s probably too late to make it in time for April 2014. Microsoft calculates that it takes at least a year for most companies to fully ‘migrate’ from XP to a newer operating system. ( this figure varies, obviously)

Why such a lengthy delay?  Proprietary / custom software – specific software programs that are designed to work with Windows XP and Windows XP only, usually in 32bit architecture.  64 bit what?

So, upgrading from XP to Windows 8 or Windows 7 could mean a much larger, costly overhaul with significant logistics involved.

But don’t try pleading that when you’re calling on Microsoft for help – the company’s Irish executives have made it quite clear that such excuses will fall on deaf ears. They have advertised the switch off for years. The company has been warning about this for at least two years. They have sent emails, put out leaflets, blogged, phoned up key customers etc. Microsoft even deferred the shut-off date on a previous occasion due to customer inaction on the matter. But not this time – no more shut-off’s. From April 2014, Microsoft has firmly stated that you’re on your own with XP.

When the first serious exploit and virus attack aimed at XP occurs in April 2014, Microsoft are adamant that they won’t answer your calls on it.

“Microsoft Windows XP is no longer safe enough to defend against the onslaught of modern threats that organisations face on a daily basis,” warns an official Microsoft document given out to multiple Irish business customers.

“Businesses that still run Windows XP will become even more vulnerable to malware and attacks after April 2014. The most significant risk is that PCs, and the data they contain, could be hacked and compromised. Today, Windows XP is 21 times more likely to be infected by malware than Windows 8.”

Thinking of upgrading your office systems from Windows XP to Windows 7 or Windows 8?  Call us today for a free, no quibble quotation.

Why chose Planit Computing for IT Support?

Planit Computing are a leading Irish IT Support company, based in Dublin 2.  Offering a full range of standard and bespoke business IT Support packages tailored to suit your business needs. It’s always difficult to cater for everybody but over the years, Planit Computing have have developed one of the best and simplest methods of supporting IT infrastructure in both Dublin and nationwide based companies. From servers, desktops, laptops and mac support to online cloud solutions.

We are committed to providing a single source solution for you for all you IT requirements.

Call us now on 014852222 to discuss your IT requirements and mention our blog to receive a 10% discount!!

Microsoft says no to SBS 2012

Microsoft recently announced that the Windows Server 2012 editions will not be seeing a “Small Business Server Edition” –  they have simplified the licensing.  Basically, there will only be four editions – Datacenter, Standard, Essentials and Foundation. For more details, see Microsoft’s post on the official site and also check out the licensing datasheet.

There is also an FAQ available with most of the common questions answered. Specifically, I would point to Q33 because this will sign the end of an era with Windows Small Business Server.

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IT Service Plans, Maintenance & IT Support Options from PlanIT Computing

Our IT Service Plans provides your business with all of the regularly scheduled services your business will need, comprehensive server and client monitoring, after hours support access, annual network audits, access to help desk services and emergency onsite visit coverage.

At PlanIT Computing, we provide  proactive IT Managed Services. Our combination of regular remote preventative maintenance and real-time monitoring of your computer systems delivers the following benefits:

  • Minimize your IT downtime and failures. We address smaller IT problems before they become expensive IT failures through our remote monitoring, alerting and support mechanisms.
  • Reduce your IT support costs. The ability to connect remotely to your IT systems to take corrective actions avoids expensive on-site call-outs and provide instant support is the key to PlanIT Computing’s Managed IT Services.  Proactive maintenance means fewer issues and less “unexpected” and costly on-site IT support work.
  • Proactive Support. When our monitoring system detects a potential IT issue we are instantly alerted and will contact you to decide on a course of action to address the issue before it affects your business.

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Chose PlanIT Computing as your trusted IT Business Partner

With IT playing such a key role in business today, companies partnering with the correct IT Solutions provider is a business-critical decision. Having a partner that you trust ensures that you get on with the day-to-day running of your operation while the IT infrastructure is left to your trusted partner.

When you engage PlanIT Computing to look after your IT needs, you are dealing with an Irish company that has been working with businesses like yours for over several years. We develop strong, long-term relationships with clients that are built on the core values of technical expertise, innovation, service and trust. Our values are at the heart of our mission, ensuring that our approach and solutions focus entirely on your business.

With PlanIT Computing as your IT Business partner you will have access to a team of dedicated IT experts. The team will work in partnership with you to develop a bespoke managed service, or network solution, that will suit your business, today and into the future. Our approach is constructive and proactive, which ensures that we focus on understanding your business, your target market and the available technologies to help assist you in the ongoing development of your business.

Call us now on 014852222 to discuss your IT needs and requirements.

SLA IT Support Contracts

At Planit Computing, we offer a full range of support contract options especially to those clients who are heavily dependent on their computer network and IT systems for their day-to-day operations.

In order to minimise the downtime to our client, in the event of an IT problem occurring, we provide a service agreement that provides fast, reliable & professional assistance. Under the our support contracts we deliver a guaranteed 4 hour emergency response to critical issues, with remote access and telephone technical support provided immediately.

We offer a “full cover” contract, if you have any issue with your IT, you simply call us and we will fix it for you. It’s that simple! We also offer various other contracts that allow our client to purchase support time from Planit Computing at a reduced rate and whenever we provide you with IT support (offsite or onsite) we simply debit the time from your pre-purchased time.

Each contract and client is different, so contact us to arrange an assessment of your needs that are specific to your business.*

Call us now on 01 485 2222 or drop us an email on info@planitcomputing.ie to discuss your IT support requirements.

A Proven Antispam Solution for your Business Email

Spam Levels are at an all time high as spamming methods become more sophisticated. PlanIT Computing provide our customers with a cost effective Anti-Spam Solution that will eliminate the daily headache of dealing with Spam Mail.

What is spam?

Spam messages ( also known as unsolicited emails ) are messages that have been sent to your email account by companies or individuals from whom you did not request information. Often these emails offer to sell you something or direct you to a website which you may not want to visit. Sometimes spam messages will contain viruses.

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IT Support Dublin

PlanIT Computing provides IT Support, Services and Solutions to small and medium size businesses.

We strive to achieve this goal by constantly improving the value of our services and focusing on making our customers more efficient, productive  and satisfied with their technology investments.

We make IT easy for business.  We deliver innovative and cost effective solutions without the jargon.

And as one of Ireland’s more proactive IT Support and Managed Service companies you can be confident that we’ve got the skills and experience whatever your requirements.

For some we act as their outsourced IT department and for others, we are a trusted partner delivering key technology projects.  In a quickly changing environment we take the stress and complication out of managing your IT.  We are always available to provide advice and solve issues as they arise, but most importantly, we proactively work with you to avoid problems in the first place.

Like you, we are experts at what we do. We provide experienced, cost effective and professional IT support so you can focus on what you do best.

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Online Backups – A quick run down

PlanIT Computing provide’s a remote business online backup solution, taking hassle out of data storage for your business.

Our fully managed, automated and monitored online backup solution saves time, effort, relieves you of manual backup problems and provides precious peace of mind that your data will be there in the event of a disaster.

Why should you choose Online Backup with PlanIT Computing?

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