Windows Sunset Will Require A Mass Mobile Migration

In 2015, Microsoft announced that it would be ending support for its legacy Windows mobile operating systems as part of a transition to a next-generation OS, Windows 10. Windows Sunset is a big deal for every manufacturer, logistics provider, and DC using Windows-based RF, voice and vehicle mount devices, Within the next few years as many as 15 million of these devices will reach their end of support date, after which they will not be eligible for security and other updates. Despite the widespread effects of Windows Sunset, few people in IT or operations are even aware of the issue. A new Lucas Application Brief seeks to fill this void.

Windows has been the de facto standard for mobile computers used in supply chain since the very earliest rugged computers and barcode scanners were introduced in the 1990s. The overwhelming majority of handhelds used in DCs and carried by delivery drivers in the early 2000’s were using Microsoft Windows CE. Today, DC associates and delivery drivers are using mobile devices that run a newer, but compatible mobile version of Windows. The software applications developed for the old version of Windows were easily upgraded to run on newer versions of Windows on newer devices. Microsoft provided a high degree of technology certainty, which was a great service to IT organizations.

All that is coming to an end with Windows Sunset. Devices running legacy Windows mobile operating systems cannot be upgraded to the new mobile version of Windows 10 (Windows 10 IoT Mobiile Enterprise). And in most cases, the software applications that run on those legacy devices will also need to be replaced or rewritten from scratch to run on a new “platform,” whether that is Windows 10, Android, Apple iOS, or something else.

In short, supply chain organizations are facing a hardware and software migration decision over the next 3-4 years. For most organizations, this will mean replacing their mobile applications with software that can run on Android, which is emerging as the new standard OS for industrial and consumer mobile devices. To learn more about the Windows Sunset issue and which devices are affected, download our new Windows Sunset Application Brief. The document outlines your options, lists some of the affected hardware devices, and suggests a few steps you can take today to plan your migration.

Download the Application Brief Here.