End support ms sql 2008

Risk to Reward: How Businesses Turn End of Support for Microsoft SQL 2008 and Windows Server 2008 into Strategic Advantage

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End of support puts businesses at high risk of security breaches

Support for Microsoft’s SQL Server 2008/2008 R2 and Windows Server 2008/2008 R2 end on July 9, 2019 and January 14, 2020, respectively. These dates signal the end of regular security updates, putting companies using them at risk. Unfortunately, many business leaders are unaware of the serious implications of these looming events—the potential damage to profits and reputation through security breaches of unprotected infrastructure and applications.

On the surface, the solution seems simple—upgrade to the current version. But SQL Server 2008 and Windows Server 2008 provide the foundation for many of the line-of-business and operational applications that companies depend upon. Those applications may not be compatible with replacement versions and could fail, paralyzing the company.

Reactive versus proactive response to end of support

End of support absolutely requires action, but that action can build for the future. While there is still time, companies have the opportunity to take stock of their infrastructure and software landscape to develop a technology plan aligned with strategy.

Taking a proactive approach to determine the best next phase of the technology journey is straightforward. There are three steps to the process—discovery, assessment and roadmap development. Through discovery, existing data sources, applications and dependencies are uncovered and documented. Assessment identifies the status of the systems identified during discovery in terms of their compatibility with infrastructure and the current versions of SQL and Windows servers.

With a solid understanding of the current technology landscape, the most important phase can begin. How will technology support the strategic vision of the company going forward?

The strategic value of a Technology Roadmap

In this age, business and technology are interwoven. Strategies need to adapt to, and take advantage of advances in technology. A Technology Roadmap, aligned with company strategy and serving the unique requirements of the business, allows leaders to envision and build to the future.

There are so many technology options for businesses to evaluate—the many forms of cloud infrastructure, new applications, data structures—a trusted partner who understands the business and has the expertise to provide guidance is critical.

Empowered for the future

Building a Technology Roadmap with an expert helps business leaders to consider the implications of technology on strategy. Issues like:

  • whether the applications they currently use will take them to the next level
  • how business expansion, new revenue models or additional service lines are best supported
  • meeting technology expectations of the next generation of workers
  • using technology to improve efficiency and reduce manual tasks

Factory worker using digital tablet to operate automation

Expert, objective guidance

As a strategic technology partner, Outer Edge takes a practical approach to technology. We work with clients facing the SQL and Windows Server 2008 end of support challenges to turn risk into reward.

Supporting both cloud and on-premise infrastructures, we have the experience to provide objective guidance. Our discovery, assessment and roadmap development services enable clients to navigate current and future needs.

We help clients develop their Technology Roadmaps to optimize current operations and keep pace with changing requirements. Our clients build strategic advantage with dependable technology and personalized support, including:

    • Flexible, monthly managed IT services delivered by experts
    • An active partnership to support decisions

with full knowledge of the latest technology

  • 24x7x365 proactive system monitoring
  • Proactive virus protection and updates
  • Technical support, incident tracking and escalation
  • Data security processes that support full regulatory compliance in addition to enhanced disaster recovery and business continuity
  • Strategic guidance to evaluate network designs and improvements to keep up with ever-changing technology

Outer Edge provides personalized private cloud application hosting and ongoing managed IT services for businesses ready to outsource foundational infrastructure. In addition to our own private data centers, we support on premise, AWS® and Microsoft Azure® environments.

Let us design a roadmap for you: 1-866-979-9605 or info@outeredge.biz

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