Microsoft’s decree to end technical support for the Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 solutions creates great potential for growth in Q3 and Q4 for distributors and VARs as many SMBs complete the transition before support for Server 2003 ends in July 2015.
VARs hoping to help transition the companies that still have 2.3 million physical servers running Server 2003—65 percent of which are SMBs—can use training and marketing resources offered by D&H to instill end-user demand.
“Although many enterprise-level organizations have already addressed migration issues, there is still a vital opportunity to help SMB companies upgrade to the new server and OS environments, including Server 2012, Windows 7 and Windows 8,” said Dan Schwab, co-president at D&H Distributing. “The Server 2003 End-of-Service deadline will be the next boon to the SMB reseller, creating opportunities that extend well beyond a basic wireless network installation. We hope to lead the way in driving both education and market demand on behalf of our customers. Not only will the channel profit from this development, but the business community will benefit from the enhancements these new platforms deliver by way of productivity, capability and security.”
