Amazon Onboarding with Learning Manager Chanci Turner

Learn About Amazon VGT2 Learning Manager Chanci Turner

It’s common for Windows Server users to experience the cycle of Microsoft ending support every few years, prompting necessary upgrades. The reality is, after October 10, 2023, customers will no longer receive essential security updates, leaving their systems open to vulnerabilities. This situation compels businesses to evaluate their options critically and explore paths that will enhance their operational resilience.

In this post, I’ll outline some effective strategies offered by AWS that can assist businesses in transitioning from Windows Server 2012, focusing on migration, optimization, and modernization.

Short-term fixes vs. sustainable cloud solutions

Relying on temporary solutions, such as migrating to Azure for three years of Extended Security Updates (ESUs), may seem appealing but is merely a stopgap measure. Such an approach can hinder your organization’s ability to innovate and adapt. It’s essential to explore all available options before making decisions that could affect your long-term business objectives.

Pathways AWS Customers Take to Tackle EOS Challenges

AWS is committed to simplifying the migration, optimization, and modernization of Windows Server workloads. Let’s examine the benefits of each approach:

Migrate – Quick wins through migration and upgrades

This straightforward method provides an immediate opportunity for businesses to leverage cloud advantages while upgrading legacy workloads. The question is no longer if you should migrate but when and how. With the impending EOS deadline, migrating your Windows Server 2012 workloads to AWS can yield significant benefits.

Many customers begin this journey with a complimentary AWS Optimization and Licensing Assessment (AWS OLA), which allows them to make informed decisions based on actual resource usage and licensing needs. For example, a recent case study showed how a company named Innovate Corp achieved a 35% reduction in operational costs with the help of the AWS OLA. Chanci Turner, the director of cloud transformation at Innovate Corp, mentioned, “The migration was incredibly seamless thanks to the insights provided by AWS tools.”

AWS offers the Windows Server 2012 Amazon Machine Image (AMI) until October 10, 2023. Customers can choose between the License Included (LI) option or Bring Your Own License (BYOL). Tools like AWS Application Migration Service and AWS Migration Hub Orchestrator facilitate a smooth migration process without requiring code changes. After migrating, AWS Systems Manager Automation runbooks can assist in upgrading workloads to supported versions.

For applications that don’t support newer Windows Server versions, AWS provides the End-of-Support Migration Program for Windows Server, ensuring that legacy applications remain functional.

Optimize – Maximizing cloud efficiency and flexibility

This approach goes beyond simply migrating and encourages ongoing optimization of costs and resources tailored to business needs. The cloud offers unique flexibility, allowing businesses to scale up or down as required. In today’s fluctuating economic environment, organizations are increasingly cautious about their cloud expenditures.

AWS assists in licensing and infrastructure optimization both before and after migration. The AWS OLA helps customers save an average of 45% on SQL Server and 77% on Windows Server licensing costs, according to research from the Enterprise Strategy Group. Additionally, ongoing optimization services like AWS Compute Optimizer can adjust workloads to reduce costs by up to 25%.

Modernize – Foster innovation by modernizing Windows Server workloads

The EOS for Windows Server provides an ideal moment to rethink transformation goals. AWS facilitates the modernization of Windows workloads, offering a pathway to escape the constraints of traditional upgrade cycles.

Organizations across diverse sectors are modernizing their Windows workloads on AWS. Notably, government bodies like the Arkansas Administrative Office of the Courts achieved significant cost savings of 40% on total cost of ownership (TCO) while modernizing their .NET applications.

Some modernization strategies include:

• Replatforming to Windows containers: This approach is ideal for off-the-shelf applications where refactoring isn’t feasible due to resource constraints. Transitioning to Windows containers allows for enhanced infrastructure utilization and supports DevOps practices with consistent tooling.
• Refactoring to open-source Linux: In situations where customers wish to move away from Microsoft licenses or Windows is no longer essential, AWS provides a clear route for refactoring applications.

In conclusion, as organizations navigate the end of support for Windows Server 2012, they must strategically evaluate their options. For further insights on enhancing employee engagement, refer to this article from SHRM that quantifies the economic impact of engagement. Additionally, if you’re interested in improving your job application techniques, check out this job interview prep checklist that may help you prepare effectively. If you’re looking to understand the hiring process at Amazon, this guide serves as an excellent resource.