7 Things Small Businesses Need to Know About Windows 10 Jennifer Lonoff Schiff | Jan 28, 2016

7 things small businesses need to know about Windows 10 Jennifer Lonoff Schiff | Jan 28, 2016

Micro IT Consulting. “One in particular I’ve run into more than once is any version of QuickBooks before 2015. An upgrade to QuickBooks 2015 can be very expensive for a small business, especially if they use it on more than one workstation,” he says. “Another major accounting suite, Sage’s Peachtree, is also incompatible with Windows 10, unless you upgrade to the newest edition.” In addition, “check your organization’s server environment before attempting to install Windows 10,” says Joseph. “Microsoft has several tools available that allow system administrators to manage and control PCs running Windows. Small businesses should be running at least the 2012 R2 edition of Windows Server and associated management tools such as System Center Configuration Manager to be able to fully manage and automate the administration of Windows 10.” 2. There could be some privacy issues. “Privacy concerns When Microsoft announced Windows Update for Business are a major issue that some small business owners may have iEarlier this month, Microsoft announced that more than 200 with Windows 10,” says Jacobsen. “If you sign into Windows million devices (PCs, phones and tablets) were now running with your Microsoft account, the operating system will Windows 10. Many of those 200 million devices belong to immediately sync your settings and data to Microsoft’s servers. business users, who upgraded to Windows 10 (in many cases This includes data like your saved mobile, application and Wi-Fi for free). And while Microsoft’s latest operating system touts passwords, [as well as] your browser history and favorites.” many benefits for small business users, such as improved security, Windows 10 may not be right – or right for right now 3. Your devices will be more secure and you won’t – for every small business. So before you consider upgrading or have to wait for patches. “In addition to Device Guard, rolling out Windows 10 to your small business, here are some Secure Boot and other security features in Windows 10, a things you should know. simple reason to upgrade older PCs is that operating systems which are designated as EOL, or end of life, will not receive 1. Windows 10 may not be compatible with some security fixes or other upgrades from Microsoft,” says Amol legacy software and equipment, including some Sarwate, director of engineering and head of vulnerability servers. “ Verify compatibility before upgrading and installing research at Qualys, a provider of cloud security and compliance Windows 10,” says Mike Joseph, engineer, Coretelligent, an solutions. And “attackers frequently target EOL systems as they IT support and private cloud service provider serving SMBs. have no security fixes [and plenty of known vulnerabilities].” “Small businesses should first verify that their mission-critical software applications, especially backup software, antivirus Furthermore, “Windows 10 Pro fix[es] code and patch[es] and any industry-specific applications, and devices like printers security holes continuously,” he says. So “businesses no longer and other peripherals, are compatible with Windows 10. The need to wait for ‘Patch Tuesday’ (Microsoft’s monthly patch last thing they want to happen is to upgrade, then uncover cycle).” compatibility issues that could have been avoided.” You can also schedule when Windows 10 updates are installed. “Many business-related software suites aren’t necessarily No more annoying forced restarts. compatible with Windows 10,” says Julian Jacobsen, owner of J.J. 4. You don’t have to use the Windows 10 interface. 6. Don’t assume that employees will know how to use “Download the free software called Classic Shell to make Windows 10. To help smooth the transition to Windows 10, Windows 10 look familiar to users,” says David Eichner, prepare employees (Microsoft provides a free Windows 10 CPA, ICAN Software Corporation, a CPA firm focused on Readiness Kit) and provide training. technology solutions. “This software lets you choose what “Before considering the jump to Windows 10, small business the interface look and feel should be. The options include owners should have proper training and coaching in place to Windows 7, XP, 95 or even 3.1. By doing so, you gain the speed make sure that users fully adopt the software [and] utilize it to and performance of Windows 10 while retaining the familiar its maximum potential,” says Nick Wilkinson, CEO, Vitalyst, which interface of prior versions of Windows.” provides support services to Microsoft business users. 5. Back up your computer/essential files and do a “With ongoing skill training and problem-solving test before rolling out Windows 10. “While an upgrade resources in place, businesses will see increased individual shouldn’t cause any data loss, make a backup of your document proficiency, which will quickly translate into company- and media files beforehand just in case the process doesn’t wide productivity.” properly complete,” says Tim Margeson, president, CBL Data Recovery. “While specialists can help recover missing files, 7. Remember you can always downgrade. “Computers getting data back after an OS overwrite can be difficult.” Also, being upgraded to Windows 10 from Windows 7 or 8 can before rolling out Windows 10 to the whole company, “run easily be downgraded to the previous version as long as certain a small test deployment,” says Michael Kachanis, engineer, components aren’t removed by the user after the upgrade,” Coretelligent. “A small test deployment will enable small says Kachanis. “This is a fairly seamless process that Microsoft business owners to check compatibility with business critical supports.” applications and functions, and provide a feel for the new operating system.”

Nick Wilkinson CEO - Vitalyst Nick is an experienced leader with an in-depth knowledge of the IT consulting and managed services industry. His career has been built upon success in identifying and implementing innovative solutions to complex technical/business problems in challenging, high-profile positions.

Vitalyst, the leader in employee software coaching and information technology services, provides unmatched application expertise and customer service, helping clients maximize return on investment by increasing employee proficiency and enterprise-wide productivity. Clients rely on Vitalyst for insightful and practical solutions about hundreds of applications, smooth migrations, Managed Help Desk Services and in-person and web- based training programs—earning the company status as a Microsoft Certified Gold Partner. Headquartered just outside Philadelphia, Vitalyst also has an office in Cleveland, Ohio. For more information, please visit www.vitalyst.com.