When Windows is obsolete
ZDNet | at | by Mike
Enterprises need to decide how long they can keep a client OS based on Microsoft's support cycles, their risk averseness for certain users and certain applications, and how current they wish to keep or how aggressive they are in adopting new applications or new versions of applications.
Critical users, critical applications, and enterprises that plan on updating their applications on a regular basis should be off an old OS and on the new one before Microsoft-assisted support ends. Enterprises that are more static in the applications they run and can withstand some risk for certain user populations can stay on an OS until after Microsoft support ends. Managers should understand business unit requirements to make sure their client-OS infrastructure is ready for the next application revision they will require, in order to avoid opportunity costs caused by running an older OS.