End of Support | SQL Server 2008 and Windows Server 2008

A golden opportunity to embark upon your business and digital transformation

Background

Microsoft has announced 'End of Support' for MS SQL Server on 09 Jul 2019 and Windows Server 2019 on 14 Jan 2020. This includes the 2008 R2 variants. While the matter seems to cause concerns, we see this as an opportunity to embark upon your much needed 'business and digital' transformation.

In this short article, we will cover 'upgrade' of software licenses and Applications. Please contact us for more information or wait for follow up articles.

How does 'End of Support (EoS)' affect you?

'End of Support (EoS)' means will be no patches or security updates after EoS date. This may cause security and compliance issues and expose customers’ applications and business to serious security risks.

To stay current, you will need to:

1. Upgrade your software licences i.e. SQL Server 2008 and Windows Server 2008. This may require you to upgrade hardware e.g. your servers as well.
2. Upgrade your applications as they may not be supported on the new versions
3. Migrate your data as it may not work on the new versions

Please be advised that some options for extended support such as through Azure or by purchasing 'extended security updates' are available. These will be explained in follow up articles or you may contact us now.

The last two points are very important as they require time, effort and vigorous testing.

Upgrading SQL Server and Windows Server Licenses

Microsoft does not offer 'upgrade' options. You therefore will be purchasing new versions of the products. Should you require, then you will obtain lower versions of the products through 'downgrade' rights.

This will cover this in details in follow up articles or you may contact us now for products and pricing. Briefly the options are:

Upgrade SQL Server 2008 including R2 edition

On Premise Option: For On-premise SQL 2008, you will purchase SQL Server 2017 version. Main SQL Server 2017 editions are Standard and Enterprise. In addition, there are two 'free' editions i.e. 'Developer' and 'Express'. The standard version is sold on 'Server - CAL' and 'Core' licensing models. Enterprise version on the other hand is sold on 'core' model only.

Azure Option: You may also move your server and applications to 'Azure' to the latest version or lower versions Should you prefer to not update your applications and data and stay with 2008 version for now then this option will provide you an extended support and buy you some time for upgrading the software applications.

Upgrade Windows Server 2019 including R2 edition

On-Premise Option: You will purchase Windows Server 2019. Main Windows Server 2019 editions are Standard and Datacenter. Licensing model for both of these is 'Server - CAL'. This requires servers to be licensed on a 'core' model and purchase of a CAL for either users or devices.

Azure Option: You may also move your server and applications to 'Azure' to the latest version or lower versions Should you prefer to not update your applications and data and stay with 2008 version for now then this option will provide you an extended support and buy you some time for upgrading the software applications.

Upgrading Applications from SQL Server 2008 and Windows Server 2008

While options are available for extended support, we believe 'end of support' provides you a reason to embark upon your business and digital transformation. This is because of the costs and effort involved in retaining current versions and ongoing productivity and efficiency losses.

Further, the old business systems and processes hold you back. Our upgrade process entails not just updating the applications to suit current technology but also covers business processes. In our methodology, we streamline business processes, intelligently automate routine routine (AI), integrate disparate applications to make them seamless and then make use of 'user friendly' gizmos of the day such as app, voice recognition etc. to make them highly efficient and productive.

The technology and business process changes however can cause discomfort and unease in some users and associates. For this, our methodology involves users in the development process and iterate solutions. This fine-tunes the product and acclimatises users with it.

Almost all our projects are 'fixed cost' and 'fixed time'. Therefore, you can be assured of going live with new systems and trained users in time.

We therefore recommend upgrading your complete systems now. If there are business systems that are not supported on later versions, then it is time for you find out new alternatives.

Migration of Data

Migration of data require careful handling as you would not like to lose any of the old data. Further, old applications and data hold a lot of complex business logic, In our experience, data migration task is as involved as 'application upgrade'. It takes almost as much time as 'application migration'. The effort however is specialised and much less.

Summary

In conclusion, while the 'End of Support' of SQL Server 2008 and Window Server 2008 looks frightening, options are available for retaining these versions for a while and upgrade.

We recommend the 'upgrade' path as this allows you to carry out much needed business and digital transformation. It may cost you probably as much as what you would spend or lose by retaining inefficient systems. On the other hand, you have a lot to gain in terms of efficiency, productivity and keeping your edge.

About Envision IT

Established in 2002, Envision IT is Australia's premier software development and licensing company. We specialise in delivering complex projects involving product, enterprise and 'line of business (LoB)' applications. In present times, we apply these skills for delivering business and digital transformation with certainty, quicker and owning to our methodology, lesser costs!