How to Migrate Your Business’ Servers from Windows 2012 to the Cloud

While Microsoft gave advanced warning that Windows 2012 would be going end of life on the 10th of October 2023, many businesses may not have given advanced thought as to how they will adapt their systems from the outdated server.

Servers are an integral aspect of your business’ IT infrastructure, housing files, applications, websites, employee remote access, data and much more. As such they provide the data that runs at the heart of your business, and should be maintained to protect your business’ integrity, security and longevity.

As the Windows 2012 end date grows ever closer, it may be a good time to ask whether your business should instigate a migration project, and consider adopting cloud-based servers.

What does this mean for Windows 2012?

Windows 2012 is the sixth version of the Windows Server operating system by Microsoft, succeeding Windows 2008. It was first released on the 4^th of September 2012, with ‘mainstream support’ for the server having ended in October 2018, and ‘extended support’ coming to an end in October 2023.

Windows 2012 was novel in its introduction of a cloud-optimised operating system, which allowed developers and IT support teams to deliver enhanced cloud solutions. However, it is not a wholly cloud-based server, and did require certain hardware specifications.

After the Windows 2012 end of life date, the server will stop receiving regular patches or critical security updates, leaving it vulnerable to security and compliance threats. After this point, the server is deemed as ‘unsupported’ by Microsoft, meaning mainstream support and extended support cycles have come to an end.

It’s critical for your business to evaluate its usage of Microsoft 2012 and upgrade or replace the current server systems that are in place in order to prevent the associated security risks.

Initiating Cloud Migration

If you are considering migrating to the cloud, there are a number of tangible benefits to your business processes. Cloud infrastructure is far more scalable than on-premises hardware and data centres; providing a wealth of resources and services, allowing great flexibility in employee working practices and business development.

When implementing cloud computing your business stores and accesses data and programmes via the internet, instead of via your computer’s hard drive. This removes the need to manage physical servers or run software on individual devices, subsequently cutting the time spent managing your IT infrastructure whilst cutting overhead costs.

To initiate cloud-migration for your business, it’s first essential to partner with a trusted and skilled Manage Services Provider. With the assistance of an experienced IT Partner, you can leave the technical planning and delivery to a team of knowledgeable experts. Before committing to the change, your MSP can run an onsite server review, determining your readiness for migration. At Fitzrovia IT, we offer our clients a thorough server review, that enables us to create a water-tight plan for server migration whilst minimising downtime.

Our IT experts are skilled in planning and conducting cloud migration projects, and as such we can ensure business continuity during periods of technical change.  As a Microsoft Gold Partner, we’re experienced in delivering Windows systems, and can advise in detail when migrating to newer Microsoft severs such as Microsoft Azure.

First Steps to Migration

Thus, if your business is still operating Microsoft 2012 servers, now is the optimal time to consider your plan of action for upgrading or migrating away from the outdated server. As migrations and upgrades can take a little time, its hugely advisable to begin planning and implementing new strategy sooner rather than later.

Cloud servers are an excellent solution to server upgrades in this period of hybrid-working schedules and business growth. They can provide excellent cost saving opportunities, alongside scope for expansion. As summarised by Fitzrovia IT’s Technical Director, Anuj Mehta, “the most attractive thing about the cloud is that it is flexible, customisable, and secure. And you can’t forget – it can also save you money”.

While we would always advise that your business will benefit from the usage of cloud-based servers, you may want to gain a greater understanding as to the reasons and technical processes. If this is the case, don’t hesitate to contact one of our specialist team to carry on the conversation around Windows 2012 and cloud migrations.