Windows Server 2012 (R2) Retirement & End of Support: What It Means

Windows Server 2012 (R2) retirement and end of support means that Microsoft will officially stop providing updates, patches, and technical support for the operating system. Here's what it means in practical terms:

1. No More Security Updates: Microsoft will no longer release security updates for Windows Server 2012 (R2). This leaves the operating system vulnerable to new security threats and exploits that may emerge in the future. Without regular security updates, your system becomes more susceptible to attacks, and the risk of data breaches.
   
2. Limited Technical Support: Microsoft will no longer provide technical support for Windows Server 2012 (R2) This means you will not have access to support options, including assistance with troubleshooting, configuration, or compatibility issues.
   
3. Compliance Concerns: Using an unsupported operating system may lead to compliance issues, especially if you are subject to specific industry regulations or data protection standards. Compliance requirements often mandate the use of supported software to ensure security and protect sensitive data.
   
4. Compatibility Challenges: As newer software and hardware technologies are developed; they may no longer be compatible with Windows Server 2012 (R2). This could limit your ability to install or run certain applications and drivers on your server.

What To Do If You’re Running Windows Server 2012 / 2012 R2

To address these concerns, it is recommended to migrate to a supported operating system version, such as Windows Server 2022. Upgrading to a supported version ensures that you receive regular security updates, technical support, and compatibility with the latest software and hardware releases. It also helps maintain compliance with industry regulations and standards.

Is now the time to move to the Cloud?

If you are currently running Windows Server 2012 (R2) it’s a great time to look at the cloud. With a migration already required, some workloads could move to a more robust and secure environment. Here are six reasons why you might want to consider migrating to the cloud:

1. Extended Support: By moving to the cloud, you can take advantage of extended support provided by cloud service providers. They often offer extended support for older operating systems, such as Windows Server 2012 (R2), beyond their official end-of-life dates. This ensures that you continue to receive security updates and technical support for your server.
   
2. Scalability and Flexibility: Cloud platforms provide scalability, allowing you to easily adjust your server resources as your needs change. You can scale up or down based on demand, avoiding the need to invest in and manage physical hardware. This flexibility allows you to optimize costs and ensure optimal performance.
   
3. Enhanced Security: Cloud service providers typically have robust security measures in place to protect your data. They invest heavily in security technologies, including encryption, firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and regular security audits. Migrating to the cloud can enhance the security of your IT environment compared to on premises infrastructure.
   
4. Disaster Recovery and High Availability: Cloud platforms often offer built-in disaster recovery and high availability features. You can leverage these capabilities to replicate your server environment across multiple data centers, ensuring business continuity in the event of a failure or disaster. This helps minimize downtime and data loss.
   
5. Cost Savings: Migrating to the cloud can provide cost savings compared to maintaining and upgrading on-premises infrastructure. Cloud services operate on a pay-as-you-go model, allowing you to pay only for the resources you use. You eliminate the need for upfront hardware investments, ongoing maintenance costs, and energy expenses associated with running your own data center. More savings may be available with 1- and 3-year contracts through Azure.
   
6. Access to Newer Technologies: By migrating to the cloud, you can leverage the latest technologies and services offered by cloud providers. This includes machine learning, artificial intelligence, data analytics, serverless computing, and more.

How DMC Can Help With Windows Server 2012 / 2012 R2 Retirement

It's important to assess your specific requirements, budget, and security considerations before deciding. We can help you plan and execute a successful migration to the cloud or transition your infrastructure to an updated version of Windows Server.

Want to learn more about help With Windows Server 2012 / 2012 R2 Retirement? 

Let’s talk. Call us any time at 419-535-2900. Or fill out this simple contact form and we’ll get in touch with you.

Posted by Greg Gomach, Business Unit Manager at DMC Technology Group

The post Windows Server 2012 / 2012 R2 End of Life appeared first on DMC Technology Group.

We need more women in tech jobs — to problem-solve, engineer, innovate, grow relationships and contribute to product development. After all, if about half of consumers are female and we’re designing software, hardware and tech tools without women’s voice at the table, aren’t we inherently missing the market?

Women in tech jobs bring a fresh perspective, diversifying the conversation. This is important for any business in every industry. A Harvard Business Review study found that diverse teams develop more innovative ideas. And let’s face it, women and men are different. (This is a good thing!) When we invite a range of perspectives to the workplace, we grow a more creative talent pool. 

A range of perspectives sparks innovation. More voices at the table means more creativity, more skills and more experiences that contribute to creative problem solving. Studies prove that mixed-gender teams deliver more novel work than all-women or all-men teams. And diverse workplaces also tend to be more profitable. A McKinsey & Company report showed gender-diverse companies are 25 percent more likely to outperform competitors that lack diversity. And the more women represented, the better for a business’s bottom line – by up to 48 percent. 

It’s always the right time to showcase tech jobs for women, and in honor of Women’s History Month in March, we hope highlighting opportunities in IT and tech careers throughout the industry and at DMC Technology Group will inspire more women to pursue tech jobs. 

So, how do women thrive in tech jobs? Here are five qualities that make women an ideal fit. 

Women of Tech are Critical Thinkers

A study in Literacy Information and Computer Education Journal highlights creativity and gender differences, explaining that women naturally analyze and their minds are constantly at work. This is not to say men are not doing the same, but women plan, organize and multitask as a necessity of everyday life. And so it makes sense that in the IT workplace, these skills are valuable for solving problems, addressing challenges and designing new products. 

Sharing is Caring – Women are Communicators 

Explaining thoughts and verbal/written expression are a strength women bring to teams. So is listening. (Communication isn’t just about talking.) Women are effective at perceiving body language and feelings. Women in IT jobs can explain complex concepts to clients, interface with customers in a way that shows understanding and empathy, and listen to client requests and feedback so they feel heard. 

Overall, women are connectors, valuing relationships with each other, their families, friends and communities. In the IT workplace, this provides a rich client experience that is appreciated in VCIO, co-managed and managed service roles.  

Women In Technology Inspire Each Other

Women are patient, taking time to teach and explain. As mentors, women in tech jobs can encourage more females to pursue IT careers by setting an inspiring example. The IT sector provides rewarding, well-paying career opportunities, where women can excel as leaders. 

There’s a high demand for skilled workers in the technology industry, with expected continued growth. For women with the right skills, education and experience, this means many job opportunities. With the tech industry constantly evolving, there will also be opportunities for career growth and advancement. 

Workforce Diversity Attracts Talent

Diverse work environments attract talent in regions that value and support women in the workplace like the United States and Western Europe. Diversity can indicate that a company is competently run and values a range of perspectives. When workplaces recruit and promote women – including them at all levels and in the C-suite – they outperform in the hiring game. Case in point: When the job site Glassdoor surveyed job seekers, 67% of the 1,000 respondents said they evaluate workplace diversity when deciding if a company is a great place to work. Another survey revealed that 61% of women look at gender diversity when considering a future employer. 

Women In Tech Statistics

Even knowing that a more gender-diverse workforce outperforms others, is attractive to job candidates and is proven to be more innovative, women still only represent 26% of the tech workforce in the United States. Only 5% of tech leadership positions belong to women, and the percentage of women in all tech-related careers has decreased during the last couple of years. There’s a significant gap in women’s representation in tech given that women account for 47.7% of the global workforce. When you consider that women account for nearly 48% of the global workforce, it highlights the vast opportunity for companies to diversify their workforce and improve their bottom line. 

Our bottom line? The tech world needs more women in tech.

Want to learn more about IT careers? 

Let’s talk. Call us any time at 419-535-2900. Or fill out this simple contact form and we’ll get in touch with you.

Posted by Greg Gomach, Business Unit Manager at DMC Technology Group

The post Tech Jobs for Women – Inspiring Innovation appeared first on DMC Technology Group.