HP Launches XP-To-Windows 7 Migration Offensive

With Microsoft support for Windows XP set to end on April 8, 2014, HP is going to provide a wide variety of Windows XP consulting migration services and even "payment deferrals for up to 90 days or one percent cash back on qualifying transactions" from HP Financial Services, according to a statement from the Palo Alto, Calif.-based company.

HP is also a enlisting channel partners to assist customers in the migration effort with "training tools, expert resources, HP PartnerOne program benefits and specialized bundles."

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HP is touting the XP migration offensive as a "collaborative approach" with Microsoft to help customers transition to a "more current version of Windows." But HP partners and even HP CEO Meg Whitman have called out Windows 7 as the primary platform for businesses migrating from XP.

Frank Basanta, managing director of technology for Systems Solutions, a New York solution provider, said the XP migration effort represents a "huge opportunity" for HP and its partners.

"In less than a year, support for XP will be completely dropped," said Basanta. "Companies are going to be looking to move to a new OS. With the drastic change from XP to Windows 8, most companies will go to Windows 7 as a safety valve."

Basanta said companies that were burned by moving to Vista will look at Windows 7 as a safe haven. "Windows 7 is a more stable, robust and easier transition for employees," he said.

HP's Windows XP migration offensive comes with the computer giant pursuing a multiplatform operating system and productivity suite strategy that includes Android and Google Apps For Business. HP announced last month that it was going to bundle Google Apps for Business as part of its new SMB IT in a Box offering.

Whitman, for her part, has said she sees enterprises, medium businesses and even small business embracing Windows 7 rather than Windows 8. "We don't see a big demand for Windows 8 in business," Whitman told CRN in an interview in May. "So my view is this XP upgrade cycle is all going to go to Windows 7, very little of it is going to go to Windows 8."

Among the migration services HP is offering are HP Workplace Software Management Services including technical assistance to "design a migration plan that leverages automated software distribution, while localized field technical resources update existing computers and deploy new devices."

HP Technology Services is also providing HP mobility Transformation Services For Windows with what it is calling a "complete range of consulting and support services for all stages of the Windows XP transition."

Finally, HP is also offering client migration services to match "individual business scenarios" with upgraded software.

PUBLISHED JULY 9, 2013