Icomm Offers Free health check in race to defuse NT4 timebomb
Time is running out. There are only 13 days until New Years Eve - the date when businesses across the region could be brought to a standstill if they don’t remedy a problem that’s fast becoming known as the NT4 ‘timebomb’.
NT4 becomes obsolete
15% of SME’s across the West Midlands, currently run their business activities on Microsoft’s ageing NT4 operating system, which will shortly become obsolete after the American giant announced that it will cease providing support, patches or updates to the server. And, the regions leading IT service and support, Icomm Technologies, is offering a free health check to help businesses proactively identify and plan for NT4 ‘shutdown’.
Ian Callens, Icomm Sales Manager
The older the hardware is, the more likely that a failure and loss of productivity will occur.
As of 31st December 2005, Windows Server 2003 will be the new standard and NT4, introduced way back in 1996, will no longer have the support required to protect it from emerging threats. The move comes as part of Microsoft’s program of replacing ageing server software in favour of its newer operating systems. For Birmingham firms and beyond that haven’t upgraded, this could spell trouble.
Ian Callens, Sales Manager for Icomm, explains:
“We’re fully aware of the heavy usage NT4 enjoys by a multitude of companies in the area. We’re also aware that if companies don’t get the upgrade before New Years Eve, their critical business data and infrastructure as a whole could be irreparably damaged from virus threats. This will effect business continuity and worst case hit the bottom line as companies implement emergency callouts to remedy the issue reactively.
“The older hardware is, the more likely that a failure and loss of productivity will occur. With our free health check we hope to help put the regions business community on-track for a successful start to 2006, rather than a continuity nightmare.”
Many companies fear migration will cause mass disruption to everyday working life in what will already be a feverish festive climate, and have therefore avoided or simply aren’t aware of the issue. But Ian Callens added:
Swift migration
“Upgrading can take between one and two weeks, which gives businesses enough time to adequately prepare themselves. As a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner, we are accredited to plan and deliver a swift migration in the shortest possible time with minimal impact on business.”
2005
