Windows 7 is at the end of its life. Microsoft will no longer update or support the operating system after January 14, 2020. While that may not seem like such a big deal for 10-year-old technology, consider that more than a third of PCs nationwide still use Windows 7-based systems. So, it’s time to upgrade to Windows 10 now.

Security is the biggest concern when a company ends support of an operating system. Retailers are very familiar with the Payment Card Industry (PCI) security standards that apply to all businesses, regardless of size, that accept payment cards. Those standards say that for businesses to remain PCI compliant, they must run on the most current software. So, when Microsoft stops supporting Windows 7, that operating system and all the businesses on it will not be compliant or secure.

At Paladin, we’re required to write our software to the latest and greatest operating systems and have the most secure applications we can. Being a Gold level Microsoft partner, we’ve been transitioning our customers to Windows 10 since 2016. Many businesses that haven’t replaced their computers over the past three years are still running Windows 7, and that’s why you need to be aware of the Microsoft deadline.

We suggest to our stores that they upgrade their hardware because new computers are faster and more reliable. Our web store offers a wide range of PCs that are already configured to optimize Paladin and can be used in single stores or multi-store chains.

All businesses today should really have an equipment replacement plan in which money is earmarked for upgrading operating technology, including hardware. In the retail world, businesses with multiple checkout terminals and back office computers should replace one PC every year. It’s a serviceability issue. If a computer goes down, the lost revenue from it is more than a headache, it’s lost income.