Killing two mosquitos with one strike: react faster and save licence fees with IT outsourcing

Software licences can still be purchased via the Open License Programme until 31 December 2021. From 2022, this service will be discontinued and new licence purchases can only be made via Cloud Solution Providers (CSP). The licence business via CSP will probably lead to a significant price increase, as the licences are currently more than 30 percent more expensive there than the usual purchase price from distributors.

Not only the price increase, but also the support phase of the current system should be included in the decision for or against a changeover. Windows offers different types of support for all server systems. Depending on the support level of a company's server system, an upgrade is particularly worthwhile. Depending on the size and number of systems, costs in the four-digit range can be saved by switching to a new server system in good time.

• mainstream support: Starts with the product launch and runs for just over five years. In this support phase, security updates are provided and the product is further developed, i.e. functions are regularly added or improved.
• Extended Support: Runs for a further five years after the end of mainstream support. This support level includes security updates without any further development of the product itself. This includes, for example, improved or new functions.
• Extended Security Update (ESU): Windows offers ESU for systems that still need to be operated after Extended Support has expired. Due to the high costs for licences and no free technical support, continued operation in the ESU is not recommended in most cases.

Especially when Extended Support is about to expire, it is high time to take action. This will affect the following systems in the next two years:

Many IT departments try to provide the latest and best infrastructure and save costs at the same time. Often one is at the expense of the other. Desktop virtualisation from cloud service providers kills two birds with one stone by taking over the effort once for all customers. Here, the server infrastructure is outsourced to powerful terminal environments and the number of physical application and infrastructure servers is significantly reduced. Powerful desktop PCs can be dispensed with, because access takes place from the cloud via a thin client. In order to be able to react flexibly to company changes at any time, desktop virtualisation usually works via a rental model with monthly billing per workstation.

If companies build a new IT infrastructure themselves, they have to estimate the future development of the next four to five years and provide for excess capacity. These cause unnecessary costs because they are often not fully utilised. Desktop virtualisation also scores here. Companies can flexibly expand or reduce resources - the IT landscape is thus always precisely tailored. Costs for unused resources are eliminated.

In addition to the cost savings for unused resources, a shared infrastructure in the data centre is cheaper for everyone involved. On the one hand, this concerns maintenance and, on the other, Microsoft licensing (SPLA licensing), which is not limited to versions.