I am wondering what other IT administrators are doing about the future life of Microsoft products.
For Example
Let?s say there is a Small to medium Company that has 200 Computers and 6 Servers. One of the Server’s is a SQl 2005, and Exchange 2003 the rest are various application servers, File and print server with Microsoft 2003 Standard on all servers.
All 200 Computers are Very old; MPC’s (out of Business.) Ready to Collapse any day. Most importantly running OEM XP.
NEXT Problem
Company is Expanding Computers have a compilation of Office 2000 – 2007 and out of installs having to buy more 2007.
Being an IT guy I am constantly bombarded from different Companies of how IT pro’s are dealing with what to do in this situation.
This is My Main Idea but not being an expert in any of the area’s I wanted to throw this out to the world to fine tune the most cost effective solution with out cutting corners and be completely legal. Also getting to a point where you don’t have to spend a large amount of money on an IT Budget every year (keep costs down between write off periods)
My Current Suggestion
1. Upgrade new PC’s to Windows 7
2. Physical Servers are brand new in most of these situations and can support ESX and Virtualize with failover between 4 servers (2 acting as SANS, 2 acting as Servers) with Minor upgrades (MEMORY, PROCS)
Virtualize with Server 2008 R2.
3. Upgrade to Windows 2007 OR Wait for 2010 (I don’t know)
How about Software Assurance?
4. Upgrade Exchange server to what Once again torn by waiting for 2010 or jumping to 2007
Any Ideas or thoughts would be appreciated