Logicalis US Suggests IT Pros Use their Migration to Jumpstart Overdue IT Transformations

NEW YORK, Feb. 10, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Microsoft will end support for Windows Server 2003/R2 in July – just five short months from now – leaving the more than 9 million servers running this version of the popular operating system vulnerable, and according to Forrester Research, more than half of Windows Server 2003 customers unprepared.  Transitioning from Windows Server 2003 to Windows Server 2012 R2 is necessary to mitigate the risks inherent in running legacy infrastructure and unsupported, unsecure, and non-compliant software. The migration process, however, can be a complicated effort.  There are many issues that need to be addressed, including things such as Active Directory, system configuration and security and application validation. As CIOs prepare, they will need to evaluate their existing infrastructure, and according to Logicalis US, an international IT solutions and managed services provider (www.us.logicalis.com), if they haven't already, they should consider moving to a converged infrastructure as part of the process.

"Moving from Windows Server 2003 to 2012 R2 is not just about an operating system upgrade, it's about the opportunity to turn migration into transformation, using a new model for IT," says Samad Ali, Vice President, HP Solutions, Logicalis US. "The old model of IT as a cost center filled with separately maintained servers, storage, networks and management is changing to take advantage of new technologies. Today, IT is becoming a service center that leverages converged infrastructures and cloud computing by focusing closely on the company's overall business objectives." 

Five Reasons to Consider a Converged Infrastructure
Not many organizations are in a position to perform a forklift transformation from a component-based data center with independently managed servers, storage and networking to a totally new converged infrastructure environment. Unfortunately, for those that cannot do it all, the tendency has been to simply continue with the status quo.  However, the underlying data center technologies and the way IT is set up today are not aligned to the way applications are built, managed and consumed. Taking months to set up a new application is no longer acceptable. Business leaders are turning to IT pros with a set of ever-escalating demands for IT services that are secure, high performing, scalable, never go down and agile enough to enable rapid development of new applications, and a converged infrastructure may be the answer. A converged infrastructure:

1. Accelerates speed to deploy new applications which means faster time to revenue
2. Simplifies and standardizes the IT infrastructure resulting in reduced operating expenses, simplified procurement processes, consolidated IT run books, and paves the way for the journey to the cloud
3. Reduces risk and time to resolution by providing an IT platform that is fully supported by a single provider
4. Provides a platform that supports consistent scalability to meet business growth
5. Provides a consistent foundation for IT governance, risk mitigation and compliance

Want to Learn More?

• Download a Logicalis white paper on converged infrastructure: http://ow.ly/Iz6dT.
• Windows Server 2003 is fast approaching end of life.  Find out how Logicalis can help you migrate to the future: http://ow.ly/Iza7x.
• Explore five key reasons to create a Windows Server 2003 migration plan here: http://ow.ly/IbpJc.

About Logicalis
Logicalis is an international IT solutions and managed services provider with a breadth of knowledge and expertise in communications and collaboration, data center and cloud services, and managed services.

Logicalis employs over 3,800 people worldwide, including highly trained service specialists who design, specify, deploy and manage complex IT infrastructures to meet the needs of almost 6,000 corporate and public sector customers.  To achieve this, Logicalis maintains strong partnerships with technology leaders such as Cisco, HP, IBM, CA Technologies, EMC, NetApp, Microsoft, VMware and ServiceNow.

The Logicalis Group has annualized revenues of $1.6 billion from operations in Europe, North America, Latin America and Asia Pacific and is one of the leading IT and communications solution integrators specializing in the areas of advanced technologies and services.

The Logicalis Group is a division of Datatec Limited, listed on the Johannesburg and London AIM Stock Exchanges, with revenues of approximately $6 billion.

For more information, visit www.us.logicalis.com.

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Media contacts:
Lisa Dreher, VP, Marketing & Business Development,
Logicalis US
[email protected]  
425-201-8111
www.us.logicalis.com

Karen Franse, Communication Strategy Group for Logicalis US
[email protected]
866-997-2424
www.gocsg.com

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SOURCE Logicalis US

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