4 points to consider when purchasing ESUs
1. What is an ESU?
An ESU is an Extended Support Update for Microsoft applications and operating systems that have come to the end of their life. They ensure that your organisation’s systems are up to date, in the best health possible and can function with the highest level of security available, without purchasing and installing a new version.
ESUs can help your organisation’s systems run better, but they also come with some disadvantages:
– They can be extremely costly, in some cases up to 4x the amount of the operating system (if you want to read more about the expense, head to our CEO, Mat’s blog on ESUs).
– Purchasing an ESU does not guarantee any actual support from the Microsoft team, if you need any additional help, this is not covered in the cost.
Microsoft users are encouraged to purchase ESUs to keep their organisation’s systems secure. Although it may seem like it, ESUs aren’t your only option – you can migrate your applications to other supported platforms. This allows you to transfer your files across to a new system safely, while still keeping your business secure, and without the need for an ESU. Cloudhouse’s Alchemy can do this simply and easily for you.
2. Running applications in an old environment
Systems that are over a decade old are known as legacy systems, and running your business through these can be risky. If you continue to run applications in these old environments, you will be using outdated security systems, making your organisation more vulnerable to cyberattacks.
It is common for businesses to be aware of security patches, yet still, avoid switching to new systems as the process can seem daunting and complicated.
3. Is an ESU right for you?
Take a look at the applications/systems your organisation is currently running on and identify which of those need to be updated. Then, decide whether you still need them – you may find that some of them are no longer serving you.
Cloudhouse has lots of experience in managing end-of-life issues in organisational applications. We effectively transplant existing applications and outdated systems onto the latest Microsoft and Citrix platforms. So, for those applications that are vital to your business and need support – do you need an ESU or could you just as effectively transfer your systems over to another supported platform without the hefty fee?
4. How Cloudhouse can support you
When an ESU inevitability becomes outdated and you need to purchase a new one, you can find yourself stuck in a cycle of expensive updates. Cloudhouse offers two solutions that help you with your end-of-life needs, while avoiding the cost of multiple ESUs, by shifting your existing applications onto newer operating systems.
Guardian effectively monitors your systems, giving you visibility of what needs updating or removing. By implementing Guardian, you can continuously monitor your operating systems for outdated applications and security flaws before problems arise – keeping your organisation safe and compliant with ever-changing regulations. Additionally, Alchemy is an application compatibility service which takes applications from old environments and safely transfers them onto the latest platforms.
Cloudhouse fixes issues quickly and for good, minimising the risk of problems further down the line; cyberattacks, business disruption and reputational brand damage.
If you would like to know how Cloudhouse can assist you with your migrating needs, send us a message today.
To read more about ESUs, download our insightful white paper here.
