There is no doubt that COVID-19 has been a challenge for businesses around the world. Besides the impact on the people on your team, it has put a halt to or delayed many business projects.
If you are manufacturing devices that operate on Windows Embedded Standard 7 (also sometimes referred to as WES7), chances are that you were planning to upgrade your operating system to Windows 10 IoT Enterprise before the end of the products’ lifecycle (and with that, EOS, the end of support) on October 13, 2020. If your business will not be ready in time to upgrade to Windows 10 IoT, the Extended Security Update (ESU) program can buy you a maximum of three extra years’ time to make the transition.
Microsoft’s ESU program buys business time to upgrade to Windows 10 IoT Enterprise
Microsoft’s Extended Security Update (ESU) provides support beyond the Fixed Lifecycle Policy date so that companies can upgrade systems in their own time, without putting their devices at risk of security breaches. Bsquare can help you manage ESU and prepare your company for the Windows 10 IoT Enterprise upgrade when you are ready for it.
Why does support for Windows Embedded Standard 7 come to an end?
All Windows Embedded products have their own distinct lifecycles, based on when the product was released and made generally available. During its lifecycle, these products will get security and feature updates at regular intervals. The products also have defined end-of-support dates which are set at the time of release. At the end of such a period, updates are no longer provided and support ends.
In addition to the end of support for Windows Embedded Standard 7 on October 13, 2020, the end of support for Windows Embedded POSReady 7 comes on October 12, 2021.
What is the risk of using an operating system beyond its lifecycle?
Devices that have an operating system for which the end-of-support date has passed will no longer receive security updates, which puts the devices at a security risk. Known threats will no longer be fixed, which could leave products vulnerable to attacks. This situation is especially critical for devices that need to be highly secure (for example, healthcare devices). Therefore, using an operating system that is no longer supported will leave the device and its data susceptible to being compromised.
Buy time to safely transition to Windows 10 IoT: Contact us
At the end of 2019, Microsoft announced the Extended Security Update (ESU) program to help OEMs with devices running on Windows Embedded Standard 7. It allows OEMS to purchase critical security updates for up to three more years after the product’s official end of extended support date. Along with security updates, the program includes 100 hours on Microsoft Premium Support to aid with the ESU deployment. The program is only available through the Embedded OEM Distribution Channel.
If you are not ready to migrate to Windows 10 IoT Enterprise before October 13, do contact us about the ESU Program. As an authorized OEM Embedded distributor, Bsquare can guide you through the procurement and deployment process for ESU and will be there to help you migrate to Windows 10 IoT at a time that is right for your business. Learn more about how Bsquare can answer your questions about ESU.