Avoid Challenges With Preparation and Foresight

Have you ever wished you were better prepared for something? It all turned out okay, but I had a moment like that this week.

Some of you may know that I’ve been a private pilot for about 10 years now. I didn’t fly much in the first few years, but the last two years have been much more active. The reason is mostly because we now have data center operations for our clients and ourselves in Las Vegas, as well as employees in Central California, Arizona, Colorado, and Louisiana.

Private pilots must have a flight review every two years, as well as a few other types of checks to make sure they’re current on other areas as well. This month, that was my charter.

Before I went to the training/review, my instructor gave me some homework. I reviewed what he told me and studied the material. He also told me to do some practice work in the plane. Since I’d recently been flying so much, I didn’t do everything he advised me to do. As you might imagine, I could have been more prepared for my review.

I made it through the review and currency check without issue, but it would have been easier on me had I done everything that the expert told me to do.

This reminded me of a webinar I held earlier this month about Technology Roadblocks. One of the topics I covered was on upgrading and/or replacing Windows 7 machines.

As you’ve probably heard, Microsoft will be discontinuing support for Windows 7 on January 14, 2020. We’ve been talking about this with our clients since late 2017 and have been doing our best to alert as many people as possible of the potential for computer equipment shortages as the deadline gets closer.

Well, the prediction is coming true. We’re now seeing shortages and long lead times for new equipment. As you can imagine, this is what happens when MILLIONS of Windows 7 machines are being replaced at the same time. For those who don't plan ahead, they may not make the January deadline.

Fortunately, our clients have been ordering in advance due to expected delays and doing their best to stay on our calendar, so we’re able to replace hundreds of PCs per month.

If you haven’t planned with your IT department or IT support provider for replacing your Windows 7 machines before January, I urge you to chat with them as soon as possible. If my team and I can be of any help, feel free to reach out any time.  

Make it a great April,
Marty