Microsoft Extends Life of XP, Indicators Show SMBs Should Move to Windows 7
In an odd turn of events, Microsoft this week announced that Windows 7 customers (those who purchased the Professional or Enterprise versions) have the option to buy Windows XP downgrade licenses until January 2020.
Many businesses were reluctant to upgrade from Windows XP as Vista was such a train wreck of an OS (personal opinion here). Windows 7 has been on the market since October and yet almost 75% of Microsoft’s business customers still use XP.
Daniel Ruby, a research director at Chitika Inc. stated in an article from CNN that most corporations will migrate to Windows 7 within the next two years. Even though XP licenses will be available until 2020, support for the operating system (Service Pack 3) is scheduled to end in April 2014. Technical support for XP Service Pack 2 ended yesterday.
Organizations have three options now: make the switch to Windows 7 now, wait until 2014 to upgrade, or continue to use licenses until 2020. Waiting until 2020 would mean using an operating system that will have had no technical support from its parent company for at least six years. Doesn’t sound so good, does it?
SMBs (Small and Medium sized businesses) should at least start thinking about migrating to Windows 7, as they still have about another four years of technical support from Microsoft (for XP SP3) available.
There are numerous benefits of switching to Windows 7. According to an article from InformationWeek, switching to Windows 7 reduces support costs by 65%. Deployment costs for the OS are reduced by 45% (roughly $40 per user). The operating system also has more enterprise friendly features such as increased system security and easier file recovery.
Oh, and did I also mention that Windows 7 is really pretty to look at?
For Immediate Release
NSK INC SELECTS AUTOTASK FOR PSA SYSTEM
Boston IT consulting firm making switch to new, web-based, professional services automation system for time and project management
Boston, MA, February 19, 2010 - NSK Inc, a Boston-based IT consulting firm specializing in small to medium businesses, recently purchased the Autotask® Software System for the company's Professional Services Automation software (PSA). Optimized for use by IT Providers, Autotask is an all in one resource for project management, billing and invoicing, and time reporting. The system runs off of a centralized cloud database and allows users to update from anywhere, a key reason why NSK chose the system.
Tim Lasonde, the President of NSK Inc couldn't be happier. "Of all the products and PSA systems we looked at, Autotask is the easiest to implement. It has all of the features we need to enhance our clients' experience." NSK will be utilizing Autotask as a way to allow technicians from NSK to log hours and report remotely from any location; a benefit for when they are on the job and not in the office. Emily R. Steinberg, Office Manager at NSK Inc says that Autotask is a step up from the current system configuration. "It will help to keep NSK better organized and allow for easier billing and invoicing, as well as employee time tracking."
The selection process wasn't an easy one for NSK Inc. "We looked at many companies over the past two months, watched many demos, and participated in a few trials," says Lasonde. "Autotask was the right choice for NSK because it allows us to improve our services for businesses in Greater Boston, streamline billing and invoicing, and measure the success of our employees." NSK will implement Autotask over the next two months, and expects to be fully transitioned to the system by the start of the second fiscal quarter.
About Autotask Corporation
Autotask Corporation is the leading provider of innovative, web-based Business Management Software and Services designed exclusively for IT Service Providers, MSPs, IT Consultants, Systems Integrators and other technology solution providers. Accessible via any PC, at any time without any downloads, Autotask helps IT professionals intuitively manage and automate the key operations for their service business and integrates seamlessly with most Managed Services software applications. For more information on Autotask please visit http://www.autotask.com or call 518-720-3500. Autotask®, Autotask Go!®, Autotask Pro® are registered trademarks Autotask Corporation. All other trademarks mentioned in this document are the property of their respective owners.
About NSK Inc.
NSK Inc is a leader in information technology consulting, with a focus on IT management for SMB companies. Headquartered in Boston, MA with an additional office in Palo Alto, CA, the company offers a wide array of IT services for business driven information challenges. They provide service and support for small and medium-sized businesses and groups working within large organizations. NSK Inc also creates custom software products for investment banks, equity management organizations, and other specialized industry areas. For more information, please visit www.nskinc.com.
Press Contact
To schedule a press briefing, please contact:
Cathie Briggette
NSK Inc.
(p) +1 617 303-0480
(e) cathie@nskinc.com
(w) http://www.nskinc.com
For Immediate Release
NSK INC MAKES BOSTON BUSINESS JOURNAL BOOK OF LISTS
Boston-based IT consulting firm makes Top 40 List for 2010; joins ranks of major IT firms in Boston
Boston, MA, February 5, 2010 - NSK Inc, a leader in IT consulting for small to medium businesses, has been included in the Boston Business Journal's "Book of Lists 2010." Considered a "Who's Who in Boston Business," the guide profiles some of the largest corporations in the Greater Boston Area. NSK Inc is featured under the category "Area's Largest IT Consulting Firms," showcasing forty technology companies in the Greater Boston Area.
Nancy Swan Keddy, CEO and Senior Partner of NSK Inc, is thrilled to be a part of this year's selection. "It is a privilege this year to have NSK Inc recognized in the BBJ Book of Lists, 2010. NSK has always strived to be one of the top IT firms in Boston and this notoriety substantiates this accomplishment." Keddy started NSK Inc in 1995, and the company has expanded since, boasting a workforce of almost thirty employees along with an extensive client list. According to Keddy, NSK Inc was founded on the idea that she "didn't want to assist just one, but multiple organizations in growing and/or increasing their knowledge of both Information Technology and Development."
About The Boston Business Journal
The Boston Business Journal is Greater Boston's premier business newspaper, providing breaking news and comprehensive coverage of the region's business community. Each weekly issue includes in depth articles covering a variety of industries, corporate profiles, executive spotlights, as well as our exclusive Top 25 Lists. BBJ also publishes daily business news through its robust website, BostonBusinessJournal.com, and daily email updates.
About NSK Inc
NSK Inc is a leader in information technology consulting, with a focus on IT management for SMB companies Headquartered in Boston, MA with an additional office in Palo Alto, CA, the company offers a wide array of IT services for business driven information challenges. They provide service and support for small and medium-sized businesses and groups working within large organizations. NSK Inc also creates custom software products for investment banks, equity management organizations, and other specialized industry areas. For more information, please visit www.nskinc.com.
Press Contact
To schedule a press briefing, please contact:
Cathie Briggette
NSK Inc.
(p) +1 617 303-0480
(e) cathie@nskinc.com
(w) www.nskinc.com
Below is the copy of the Release from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Office of Consumer Affairs & Business Regulation (OCABR).
For Immediate Release, Aug. 17, 2009
CONTACT:
Jason Lefferts
(617) 973-8767
Changes balance consumer protections with business concerns
BOSTON - Aug. 17, 2009 - In keeping with Governor Deval Patrick's commitment to balancing consumer protection with the needs of small business owners, Massachusetts Undersecretary of the Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation Barbara Anthony today announced adjustments to Massachusetts' identity theft regulations that maintain protections and also reinforce flexibility in compliance by small businesses.
The updated regulations will take effect March 1, 2010. The regulations make clear that their approach to data security is a risk-based approach that is especially important to small businesses that may not handle a lot of personal information about customers. Under a risk-based approach, a business, in developing a written security program, should take into account its size, nature of its business, the kinds of records it maintains, and the risk of identity theft posed by its operations.
"In listening to the concerns of small business leaders, we understand there were issues regarding the impact these regulations have on those companies," said Undersecretary Anthony. "These updated regulations feature a fair balance between consumer protections and business realities."
New language in the regulations recognizes that the size of a business and the amount of personal information it handles plays a role in the data security plan the business creates. The new language requires safeguards that are appropriate to the size, scope and type of business handling the information; the amount of resources available to the business; the amount of stored data; and the need for security and confidentiality of both consumer and employee information.
The changes, Anthony said, make clear the regulations are risk-based in implementation, not just in enforcement as had been the case in earlier versions of the regulations. In addition, the regulations are technology neutral and acknowledge that technical feasibility plays a role in what many businesses, especially small businesses can do to protect data. The overall approach is more consistent with federal law, she said.
"Whether it's a small amount of employee paperwork, or a large amount of consumer information kept on an electronic database, each requires its own appropriate level of security and protection," Anthony said. "The changes we are making reflect that reality without exposing companies or consumers to a heightened risk of theft."
The regulations are a product of the identity theft prevention law signed by Governor Deval Patrick. Governor Patrick signed an executive order last September requiring all state agencies to implement security measures consistent with the requirements in the regulations.
The Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation today sent to the Secretary of State notice of public hearing on the changes. That hearing will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 22, at 10 a.m. at the Transportation Building, 10 Park Plaza, Boston.
For more information about identity theft protection, visit the Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation website, www.mass.gov/consumer.
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For Help with your identify theft protection technology decisions contact:
NSK Inc.
75 Kneeland St.
Boston, MA 02110
617-303-0480
http://www.nskinc.com
Redline changes to MGL 93H 201CRM17.00
Your Timeline for Compliance with MGL 93H 201CMR17.00
NSK Inc Offers MPICA for compliance with the 201CMR17.00 Regulation - Let us handle the technology side of the Regulation