Have you upgraded all customers to Windows 10?

Earlier this year on the 14th January 2020, Microsoft End of Support (EOS) came into effect with the immediate conclusion of ongoing security updates and support for Windows 7.

For end users still operating with Windows 7, there will be;

• No more windows security updates
• No further software updates
• Microsoft will no longer offer technical support

What opportunity remains for resellers to upgrade their customers? 

Thousands of users across Australia are still running Windows 7 and as a result are more vulnerable to security risks and cyber threats. As a result, at this time there is still an opportunity for Australian-based technology resellers to proactively upgrade more end users with modern devices running the safer and more secure Windows 10.

Windows 10 is Microsoft’s latest operating system which is fundamentally fast and familiar, safe and secure, and has features that allow users to be more creative. Windows 10 was designed to be the most secure Windows yet, offering comprehensive security and data protection while meeting compliance requirements. Aside from avoiding attacks, businesses also stand to gain from refreshing their fleet to a modern device at a functional and productivity level.

What are the benefits of upgrading to Windows 10 now? 

Higher Productivity: The OS comes with highly intuitive tools that transform any work environment into a highly efficient one. Windows 10 integrates Microsoft Office 365 and a diverse toolkit of applications and services.

Users on Android, iOS, Mac and Windows can edit and view files across the multiple devices. With OneDrive, users can edit and share in real-time. Windows 10 also comes with easy-to-use templates for creating marketing plans, budget proposals and business pitches.

Simplified Administration: The administrator panel comes with a user-friendly interface built from customer feedback. Therefore, the entire setup addresses past issues of previous versions and the result is a solution that eases management for users.

With this version, installation and device management takes just a short five minutes to setup. No target configuration is necessary here, making management stress-free.

Heightened Security: As cyber threats become more advanced no business should cut corners when it comes to IT security. Windows 10 features Windows Defender Advanced Protection (ATP) and a windows sandbox.

The sandbox allows users to first run untrustworthy programs in a detached environment. This way, the OS can detect whether a program is malicious or not, before executing.

More Space Creation: Space issues can affect a PC's performance. Without adequate space, it's also impossible to install important updates. Windows 10 offers several options for users to free-up disk space for the easier and smooth running of operations.

Autopilot with Windows 10: Deploy new devices into your customers’ environment with ease when using Microsoft Windows 10 Autopilot. Autopilot enables you to:

• Automatically join devices to Azure Active Directory (Azure AD) or Active Directory (via Hybrid Azure AD Join). See Introduction to device management in Azure Active Directory for more information about the differences between these two join options.
• Auto-enroll devices into MDM services, such as Microsoft Intune (Requires an Azure AD Premium subscription).
• Restrict the Administrator account creation.
• Create and auto-assign devices to configuration groups based on a device's profile.
• Customise OOBE content specific to the organisation.

What are your options for upgrading customers to Windows 10? 

There are two options for upgrading to the new windows version; 

1. Purchasing a new modern devices preinstalled with Windows 10 
2. Purchasing a newer version of the OS and installing it in a compatible device 

Dicker Data recommends upgrading to a new modern device. Installing Windows 10 on a legacy or incompatible device may limit the availability of some useful features.

With any upgrades, there's always the conversation surrounding cost. Upgrading from a legacy system is costly and most businesses don't have funds lying around for technological transformations.

Fortunately, if you're an Australian partner, Dicker Data can help with our Financial Services.

Dicker Data Financial Services (DDFS)

This allows businesses to leverage their financial power, by moving from a Capital Expenditure (CapEx) to Operational Expenditure (OPEX) procurement model. With OPEX, a business can pay for the upgrade in flexible monthly instalments as opposed to hefty one-off expenses, hence making the latest technology solutions accessible to every business of any size.

Taking this approach is particularly important when reseller partners are refreshing the devices for businesses that do not regularly update their IT equipment. By moving them onto a device-as-a-service plan with DDFS, they’ll automatically be eligible for device upgrades in 2 or 3 years’ time at a similar monthly price point to what they’re already paying. The best is, you as their trusted technology partner collect the full margin on the device refresh every time.

Besides the above, here are some more benefits to utilizing DDFS;

• Direct financing hence no brokers, leasing companies or banks
• The freedom to rollout a Managed Service Provider (MSP) system to serve your clients better
• Monthly invoice generation for cloud, hardware and software, as well as subscriptions
• Access to the TheAssetAdvantage essential for asset management, as well as report generation and customer cycle management.
• Tailor-made solutions unique to customer needs

For enquiries, please contact our team for support.