Day after day we rely heavily on computers, smart phones and tablets. The power of each device makes our jobs faster, more efficient and hopefully easier each day.
Our own corporate policy sets a four year life cycle for each computer. As technological advances in both hardware and software, as well as lagging performance of each device as it ages, dictates the replacement of each computer.
We have a computer that operates a 2D CAD software package that is obsolete. It is on a 2009 Lenovo Laptop that was considered top of the line back then. We all cringe at the thought of using it, because its current performance is subpar to say the least. The drawings have been converted to 3D, but once a month or so someone opens that 2D program to view a file. It must take us a minimum of 45 minutes every time.
Every week we are asked to help a Mangotech or Spida user with an ailing computer on their Automated Apollo Saw or Spida CSS saw. I’m still surprised when we are asked to assist with a Windows 95 or Windows 98 computer. I’m baffled at the loss of production each company faces on a daily basis. I challenge each manager to complete a brief time study on their MangoTech or Spida saw. Pay attention to the file loading and unloading jobs, and the performance of the operating system. Simply the time it takes to boot up in the morning may cost 20+ minutes. In many cases, if this were your desktop computer, you would have replaced it 7-10 years ago.
You should expect to realize a 25% increase in production by upgrading your Spida or MangoTech saw
Microsoft provided support for Windows XP for the past 12 years. But the time came for us, along with our hardware and software partners, to invest our resources toward supporting more recent technologies so that we can continue to deliver great new experiences. As a result, technical assistance for Windows XP is no longer available, including automatic updates that help protect your PC.
Microsoft has also stopped providing Microsoft Security Essentials for download on Windows XP. If you already have Microsoft Security Essentials installed, you'll continue to receive antimalware signature updates for a limited time. However, please note that Microsoft Security Essentials (or any other antivirus software) will have limited effectiveness on PCs that do not have the latest security updates. This means that PCs running Windows XP will not be secure and will still be at risk for infection.