Posts

Budgeting for OS migration from Windows

,

We’ve been discussing enterprise operating systems, as the deadlines approach for Microsoft ending support for Windows Embedded Handheld and Windows CE. The great OS Migration started when Microsoft made the announcement in 2016 that it would no longer provide security updates for their operating systems by 2020. Businesses that have been relying on Microsoft’s OSs for their rugged handheld devices have had to choose between staying with an unsupported operating system, rewriting their apps to fit another version of Windows, or choosing to move to another OS. While there’s naturally a lot of discussion about which choice is best, let’s talk about budgeting for OS migration from Windows.

How will the change in your operating system impact your investment in devices, both legacy, and upgrades?

Start by Assessing Your Legacy Devices for OS Migration

Take Stock of your Legacy Devices including the TC8000 and the MC3300

Are they a few years old (or older)? If so, you’re ready for an upgrade. The evolution of the rugged mobile technology in recent years has delivered a wealth of benefits that command your attention. The productivity factor has escalated. Your workforce can be more efficient with their time, which contributes to a rapid return on investment in your new technology. The Zebra TC8000 all-touch mobile computer, for example, has been proven to boost productivity by 14%. That’s the equivalent of adding one hour per worker per shift. The factor that bonuses across your workforce to determine how this investment in new technology benefits your business. The Zebra MC3300 mobile computer offers the flexibility of four different form factors so you can customize it your ergonomic needs—which enhances productivity as well. This mobile computer also features the combination of three scan engines, three keypads, and three tiers of functionality, so it fits the way you need to use the device, not the other way around.

Create an Inventory of Your Current Use Cases for OS Migration

Take Stock of Your Current use case

Identify how you use the devices as well as the desired results. For example, for barcode scanning, do you require an extended reach? Are you scanning in cold storage where the workers wear gloves and the barcodes could be covered with frost? Do you do a high volume of scanning with a mobile computer or is it purely a secondary feature? You might likely discover that a “one-size-fits-all” approach for rugged mobile devices doesn’t fit your needs. Today’s more advanced technology presents a broad array of purpose-built devices that are drilled down to specific tasks and functions.

Prioritize Your Needs for Functions and Features Investment for OS Migration

Prioritize Your Needs for the OS Migration from Windows

Prioritize your needs so that you understand the functions and features that require investment. Be sure to forecast anticipated uses so that you can future-proof your investment. This will help you focus on the hardware that will best achieve your goals. You can use these guidelines to avoid purchasing less or more than you need. These steps will help you profile your hardware needs. You might have some legacy devices that are still highly functional in your work environment. If they run on an unsupported version of Windows, are you comfortable with the lack of security updates?

Establish a Timeline

Establish a timeline for your Migration that's best for your Warehouse

The OS migration will occur over a period of time. You’re not going to pull the plug one day and be up and running the next. You need a strategy to deploy the new operating system and integrate the new devices. Avalon Integration can help here. We specialize in enterprise systems integration and we’re experienced in the challenges of OS migration. We’ll apply our expertise to develop a strategy with you, acquire the hardware, and implement the transition in an efficient, effective process. Talk to us about making the move to an operating system and enterprise computing hardware that will support your business in the long run and deliver greater results.

/by

OS Migration: The Cost of Procrastinating

,

Microsoft announced that, in 2020, it will discontinue support for Windows CE and Windows Mobile operating systems. Their decision would impact 15 million computers, about 90% of the enterprise computing market. If you’re using either of these operating systems, you have some important choices to make. With the heavy (and still growing) reliance on mobile devices in the workplace, the choice you make for the operating system will impact users, device choices, application accessibility, network security, and the IT time to handle it all. You have invested in legacy devices but remember that the best OS for a situation is important and Migration may be needed. Are you going to see the ROI or will it be written off to “lesson learned”?

What are your options for Migration?
OS Migration Options

You could sit still. Continue using Windows and move up to Windows 10. However, you’ll be running without the support of security patches next year, because Microsoft is also pulling that plugin 2019. It seems clear that Microsoft’s commitment to enterprise mobile computing is tenuous. Don’t commit to a company that isn’t committed to you.

Your next option is to choose a direction for the operating system that will replace Windows CE/Mobile and rewrite your applications to run on the OS of choice. Android and are good options. Google and Apple have proven themselves to be reliable and innovative. Between Android and iOS, they own 99% of the mobile device market share; however, Android dominates the space with 87% worldwide. Android’s open platform makes it more inviting for developers, which has caused concern over security.

In recent years, companies like Zebra have addressed the perceived weak spots in Android’s security. Zebra’s rugged mobile devices come pre-installed with Mobility Extensions (Mx), which elevates the operating system to an enterprise level for security, device management, data capture, and connectivity. Zebra’s rugged handhelds and enterprise tablets are ready to operate in an Android environment and perform at the high levels of reliability, security, and computing power you should expect from your technology.

Do you need to retire your legacy devices now and make the move to new technology?
Android Legacy Device Migration

At Avalon Integration we’ve been looking at the path for this OS migration. It’s not realistic for a company to buy all new devices, so we’re helping our customers to make a gradual transition. Decide on the operating system and look at those devices that are ready for upgrades. But while you’re trying to hold onto those legacy devices, consider that you might not be saving money. A rugged device’s life expectancy is three years, with an average failure rate of only 1% in the first year. By the fourth year, the rate escalates to 8%. That’s not a big number, so maybe you’re fine with the prospect of extending the life of your rugged devices.

What does 1% really mean for Migration?

OS Migration Android Phone

Every percentage point of device failure translates to a 5% increase in your total cost of ownership. By the fourth year, when your failure rate jumps 7%, you can expect a 35% rise in your TCO. Are you actually saving money by procrastinating or merely avoiding the inevitable business decision?

Those four-year-old legacy devices are also using old technology. The speed is slower, the connectivity is weaker, the resolution is probably less, and it may not have the features that today’s mobile devices offer. Every one of these downsides represents a negative impact on your productivity. You’re not maximizing the potential of your workforce. You’re probably also pushing the limits of your IT staff’s effectiveness.

Millions of enterprise users are faced with the OS migration decision. Avalon Integration can give you more insight, evaluate your current situation, and guide you to the strategic transition that will deliver the best results for your company. Talk to us to steer your migration along a smart route.

/by