Is your test system still running on an old operating system? In order to take full advantage of the gamut of improvements in audio and visual technology, it is necessary to modernize your equipment beyond the stock capabilities of the standard VHS player. Similarly, your test system โ and any hardware or software system โ also needs upgrades to continue to function reliably and avoid ever more costly downtime.
Three Reasons Why Upgrading Your Test Operating System is a Priority
Whether designed using off-the-shelf or proprietary technology, your test and measurement system will be more secure and easier to maintain with an updated operating system (OS). Three reasons upgrading is important: cyber security, product obsolescence, and enhanced capability.
1. Cyber and System Security
Microsoft no longer supports security updates for Windows XP; this can make your test system more vulnerable to attacks.
Also according to Microsoft:
โข Over 300K new malware samples are being created and spread every day
โข 87% of senior managers have leaked data accidentally
โข 63% of breaches involve weak or stolen passwords
โข $3.5 Mil is the average cost of data breach per incident
In order to comply with the latest Department of Defense (DoD) regulations all government contractors must update their security guidelines; in turn, this means many contractors upgraded or need to upgrade their operating systems. If you are a government contractor, the DoD policy requires protection of controlled unclassified information as required under the National Institute of Science and Data security requirements known as NIST SP 800-171. NIST Special Publication 800-171 breaks down the minimum cyber security standards into 14 areas.
Upgrading your systemโs OS may also help your business avoid becoming a victim to increasingly common security threats. As you have seen โ but hopefully not experienced within your business โ the hacking industry and malware continue to evolve and pose greater and greater threats.
2. Product Obsolescence
The longer a test system is allowed to languish on old platforms, the more obsolescence threatens the test systemโs ability to remain online and well-supported.
Aged systems are subject to support difficulties in many areas and may cause the following:
โข Increasing likelihood of failures
โข Higher frequency downtimes
โข Longer duration downtimes
โข Difficulty finding replacement parts
โข Difficulty finding supported drivers
โข Elongated time on support calls (as staff are trained in latest technology)
Some common signs that your software is incompatible with a new operating system include:
โข Software fails to launch
โข Software used to generate reports and no longer does
โข Software displays permission errors
โข Software can no longer save configuration data
โข Software can no longer print
โข Software no longer collects data or data is wrong
If your software exhibits any of these traits it is likely not compatible with modern OS rules and requirements.
3. Preserving Capability
Migrating test software to a newer operating system extends the overall lifespan of the test system. Migration also allows the test system to take advantage of faster, more reliable modern hardware and drivers and increases the overall supportability of the system.
An experienced integrator can migrate your test system to a modern, reliable platform
Migrating to a new OS is not as simple as installing the new OS. New OS versions come with new rules and requirements, often rendering old software unable to properly run. G Systems can update your test software to make it compatible with the new environment.
For more than 25 years, G Systems has performed OS upgrades to maintain test system functionality. Our experience includes working with prime aerospace and defense contractors and many other markets. As part of an OS upgrade, we will guide you through these topics and help ensure your system continues to run reliably.
Download our Complete Guide to Managing Obsolescence to learn more about how to identify obsolescence issues early and manage them once they are identified.
