It’s 2020 already and with the new year comes new impetus to plan for the future. From cloud-based computer processing to data recovery, we’ve put together five of the top IT trends that should be on your radar in 2020.
Windows Virtual Desktop
Windows Virtual Desktop (WVD) is going to be the next big thing in IT. In fact, for some businesses it already is.
Just as storage and some software programs have gone up to the cloud, offering us cost savings and enhanced functionality, now, with WVD, your actual computer processing power migrates to the cloud too. We are talking about the individual computers that each employee has on their desk.
So instead of having to fork out on expensive machines every few years you can equip each workstation with a keyboard and monitor and pull the actual computing power down from the cloud. You only need to pay for what you use, and it’s calculated on a second-by-second basis.
Depending on the role computers play in your business, there could be significant cost savings to be had. Moreover, you never need to worry about updating your hardware. You’ll always have exactly what you need, the latest tech. And it lets you scale your IT resource up and down seamlessly.
Exciting stuff!
Cyber security
As ever, cyber security will be at the forefront of most businesses’ thinking. One defensive tactic which we think will become more accessible to many businesses is penetration testing, also known as ethical hacking. Long deployed by large corporations, it helps you identify and address security weak spots in your IT infrastructure – before the bad guys do.
It won’t be for everyone but have a conversation with us if you want to find out more.
At a simpler level, cyber essentials, the government accreditation for good practice cyber security, will continue to be taken up by companies.
And at Nebula, we’ll also continue to encourage businesses to use multi-factor authentication as part of their log-in protocols.
Windows 7 no longer supported after January 2020
You’ll probably already know that as of 14 January 2020, Windows 7 support from Microsoft will end. This means that if you are still using Windows 7 after this date, your systems will be vulnerable as you will no longer receive security updates.
Most will have upgraded already, but if you have not it’s essential that you move to a newer operating system in order to receive the latest security updates. You can upgrade in one of two ways: by buying a new PC with an up-to-date operating system (such as Windows 10) already installed. Or you may be able to purchase Windows 10 for your current machines if they have the capacity to run it.
If this is an issue for you, please talk to us as soon as possible.
Taking another look at your one, three, and five-year budgets
Given the pace of IT advancement, we recommend taking another look at your IT budget for the next one, three and five years. The developments we see in Windows Virtual Desktop, for instance, could change your budget significantly.
As an example, if your business performs complex rendering, rather than paying £6,000 for the new high spec computer required to do it, a pay-as-you-go virtual machine could give you the required power on tap at a much lower cost.
We can help you budget appropriately to achieve your business goals.
Data recovery
Data recovery is another interesting area for consideration in 2020. Again, there is so much advancement in this field that even solutions a couple of years old may be improved. Microsoft Azure now allows you to service anything from one single file up to your whole environment.
It’s great news that by following best practices you can keep your files safer than ever.
Get planning for 2020
If the new year has sparked new energy in you to review your IT strategy, get in touch with us to help make 2020 a successful year for your business.
