Microsoft has announced it will be ending its support for Windows CE, impacting on an estimated 5-7 million legacy Windows CE* devices.As a Zebra Business Partner we can assist you with the easy migration to Android, ensuring continuity of your supply chain operations.

What Will the Withdrawal of Windows CE Support Mean to You?

From January 1 2020, Windows embedded 6.5 reaches its end of support, and in 2021, Windows Embedded Compact 7.0 will reach its end of support. But what does this actually mean for your workers, and their devices?

Once Microsoft CE terminates its support, you will no longer be provided with:

• Technical support for problems that may occur
• Bug fixes for issues that are discovered, and that may impact the stability and usability of the server
• Security fixes that may make the server vulnerable to security breaches.
• Time zone updates
• You will no longer receive service packs of new features, but much more importantly, you’ll no longer receive security updates, leaving you exposed to breaches and criminal activity.

Why Android?

Android is the #1 Platform of Choice for Legacy Windows OS Users

Android OS is the #1 platform that organisations are choosing to replace legacy Windows, such as our partner Zebra Technologies. Some of the key features of the Android OS include:

Open-source platform. As an open-source platform, Android OS allows developers to respond quickly when users need new functionality or need to scale their deployments. These include custom security APIs, hardware integration APIs, and more robust mobile device management features.

Most used platform in world. Android is currently the most used mobile OS in the world. Most of your workforce are already familiar with the platform, and that will make it much easier to transition with new employees.

Device compatibility. There is a wide selection of Android-compatible hardware that is rugged and designed for high-volume use in industrial settings.

Strong community of development. There is a very strong community of well-established Android developers.

Strong and growing investment of Google in Android. Google and its Android platform partners have been investing heavily in application development to expand and improve applications.

Legacy Windows End of Life Presents a Serious Security Threat

Without Windows CE support, you are sitting on a serious security vulnerability that attackers will be targeting. Without updates to the operating system, which you will no longer be receiving, you will simply not be able to continue running devices you already have without introducing a large hole in your infrastructure. Any device that is on your Wi-Fi network can be a source of malware into that network.

Many devices are IoT-based, collecting real-time information that is shared with host systems beyond the four walls. Security may not be the highest priority but from a compliance perspective, it is hardly ever acceptable to run unsupported versions of an operating system in mission-critical production.

In essence, relying on unsupported devices will be challenging when that device is central to your business processes or is being used in regulated industries such as pharmaceuticals.

You can read our FAQs regarding the end of Windows CE support here.

Should you require further assistance on the Migration to Android, and our Android products, you can contact us here.

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