Publication Date
End of Windows 10: An Opportunity to Rethink IT Asset Management
The end of life of Windows 10 is approaching, and with it, a major challenge for some decision-makers and IT managers. Indeed, this upgrade often requires enhancements or even replacements of machines. But instead of seeing this transition as an imposed constraint, why not turn it into a strategic opportunity? In fact, the switch to Windows 11 is not just a simple change of operating system; it offers possibilities for improving productivity and security and is part of best practices in IT asset management.
Why Switch to Windows 11 Now?
The end of life and support for Windows 10 is scheduled for the fall of 2025 and marks a necessary evolution. Indeed, since the pandemic, work models have radically changed, and even today, many employees continue to work from home. This reality has introduced new security risks and increased collaboration needs.
Furthermore, the use of personal equipment for professional purposes (BYOD) in certain situations also exposes companies to more cyber threats. Windows 11 has been designed to address these challenges by enhancing native security, offering better identity and access management, and adding features that meet these new ways of working.
In Short, Windows 11 Offers:
- An improvement in user productivity via new interfaces;
- Increased performance and optimized collaboration tools;
- Enhanced security through the integration of advanced protection mechanisms against threats;
- Simplified management of the IT fleet through modern management tools such as Microsoft Intune and Windows Autopilot.
If you perceive the transition to Windows 11 as a burdensome project that will incur significant, unforeseen expenses, it might be a good idea to revisit your IT asset management practices.
Indeed, software, just like the computers tasked with running it, has a useful and, most importantly, predictable lifespan. Nowadays, it is simple to manage these assets proactively and avoid having to allocate substantial sums all at once—something many will face this fall.
What Is IT Asset Management?
IT asset management (ITAM) involves tracking and optimizing all the technological assets of an organization, such as computers, servers, and software. This process goes beyond the initial inventory upon acquisition and includes key elements such as end-of-life planning, regular updates, and security patch management.
The Main Elements of IT Asset Management Are:
Manual or Automated Management?
Many companies still manage their IT assets manually, which exposes certain risks. Data entry errors can, indeed, lead to discrepancies between the actual inventory and the documented data, thereby skewing strategic decision-making. Moreover, the absence of an automated alert system can result in neglecting critical milestones, such as security updates or planned replacements; thus, increasing operational risks and unforeseen costs.
However, solutions exist to automate various aspects of asset management, such as Microsoft Intune for device management, updates, and compliance, and Windows Autopilot to automate the deployment and configuration of new devices. Your responsiveness will rely on monitoring tools to oversee the state of systems and anticipate potential issues.
Lifecycle Management Strategies
Adopting a proactive approach will allow your organization to minimize the costs and risks associated with system obsolescence and other IT assets. A strategy based on best practices includes:
- Preventive planning with the establishment and monitoring of an update and replacement schedule;
- Continuous updating to ensure the deployment of security patches as soon as they are available;
- Active monitoring aimed at identifying end-of-life devices or software;
- Process automation via centralized management tools to minimize manual involvement.
For some companies, outsourcing IT asset management can be a winning strategy by delegating key tasks such as updates and patches for optimal security, vulnerability monitoring to prevent cyberattacks, and proactive inventory and asset tracking to ensure accurate traceability.
IT Asset Management and Change Management
Adopting something new, such as Windows 11, means much more than just a simple technical update: it is a real change management project. Users must get used to new interfaces and ways of working. Again, proper planning is essential to ensure buy-in and minimize interruptions. Training, internal communications, and support must be planned in all your projects.
By adopting a proactive approach, businesses can not only reduce costs but also lighten the workload of their IT teams and improve overall efficiency. In short, Windows 11 is not just a constraint; it’s an opportunity for evolution.
What You Need to Remember
Ending support for Windows 10 is much more than just ceasing updates: it’s an opportunity to review and optimize IT asset management.
This migration project is the perfect opportunity to ask some good questions:
