channel partners Archives

Winsage

July 24, 2025

SMEs need channel help moving off Windows 10

71% of IT decision-makers view the transition to Windows 11 as an opportunity to enhance PC infrastructure. 64% of UK decision-makers consider the ability to run AI applications as critical for their organizations. Currently, 20% of customers have not started transitioning from Windows 10, 25% have completed the migration, and 44% are working towards the October end-of-life support deadline. Small firms are particularly lagging in this transition. Analysts predict a global PC market growth of 5.8% in 2025, with total shipments expected to reach 272 million units, following a 9% growth in Q1 and a 7.4% year-on-year improvement in Q2.

Winsage

July 12, 2025

Lenovo, Apple, and others post huge PC numbers, but behind it all is looming software panic

The global PC market saw a 7.4% year-on-year increase in shipments during Q2 2025, totaling 67.6 million units. This growth is primarily driven by urgent business upgrades due to the impending end of support for Windows 10 in October 2025, rather than a resurgence in consumer confidence. Businesses are refreshing their PC deployments, while consumer spending on personal devices has stagnated, with many delaying upgrades until 2026. Over half of channel partners expect growth in their PC business in the latter half of 2025, with nearly a third anticipating growth exceeding 10%. Lenovo led the market with 17.0 million units shipped, followed by HP with 14.1 million units, and Dell with a slight decline of 3.0%. Apple experienced a 21.3% increase to 6.4 million units, while Asus saw an 18.4% rise. Desktop shipments increased by 9%, and notebooks rose by 7%. The market dynamics are also influenced by evolving US tariff policies, which are reshaping the PC supply chain landscape.

Winsage

April 27, 2025

Windows 10 support ends soon, but shockingly, 35% of SMBs are either clueless or refusing to upgrade their systems

A recent survey by Canalys revealed that over a third (35%) of channel partners reported their small and medium-sized business (SMB) clients are either unaware of the upcoming end-of-service (EoS) deadline for Windows 10 or lack a plan to transition away from it. Additionally, 14% of respondents admitted they do not know that support for Windows 10 is ending on October 14, 2025. The market for business PCs is growing, with a 9.4% year-on-year increase in shipments, reaching 62.7 million units in Q1 2025. Experts warn that the lack of upgrade plans could lead to significant financial repercussions for SMBs, especially with rising tariffs and potential supply constraints. A structured approach for transitioning to Windows 11 is recommended, including assessing current hardware, evaluating application compatibility, developing a timeline for upgrades, budgeting for investments, training staff, and implementing endpoint security strategies.

Winsage

March 24, 2025

PHOTOS: Synnex’s “Seizing the device refresh opportunity” event

The transition to Windows 11 is seen as an inevitable shift that channel partners must embrace, presenting substantial opportunities for those ready to adapt. Thomas Tapsas, Director of Channel Sales at Synnex, compared this transition to the Y2K phenomenon, noting that four times as many PCs will require replacement. Synnex aims to assist partners in navigating this transition, emphasizing the need to rethink technology strategies and enhance customer offerings. The collaboration with Microsoft is intended to empower partners to fully leverage Windows 11 and maintain competitiveness in the market.

Winsage

March 24, 2025

Windows 11 offers massive benefits for users and great opportunities for the channel

The transition to Windows 11 is imminent, with significant opportunities for industry partners, as highlighted by Thomas Tapsas from Synnex. The end of technical support for Windows 10 on 14 October 2025 means no further security or feature updates, and Microsoft 365 will not be supported on Windows 10. Approximately 5.7 million PCs in Australian commercial organizations are still running Windows 10, with over half unable to support Windows 11, necessitating the replacement of nearly 4 million computers before the deadline. Australia’s adoption rate of Windows 11 is around 38%, while over half of the UK market has already upgraded. Upgrading to new PCs running Windows 11 offers substantial hardware improvements, including better battery life and enhanced components. Newer PCs also support hardware protection for BitLocker-encrypted drives and experience 58% fewer security incidents. Organizations that have not begun the transition are approximately 300 days behind schedule in an average upgrade program that spans about 450 days.

Winsage

November 29, 2024

Australian organisations urged to avoid fallout from Windows 10 support deadline

Australian organizations face a significant supply chain challenge as support for Windows 10 ends on October 14, 2025, potentially exposing them to data breaches and regulatory non-compliance. A report by CRN Australia indicates that many businesses are unprepared for the transition to Windows 11, with fewer than 200 business days remaining. A global shortage of devices may hinder the replacement of aging technology. Approximately 4 million to 5 million devices have been sold annually, but millions of Windows 10 PCs still require replacement. Continuing to use Windows 10 post-support may lead to non-compliance with cybersecurity insurance policies, reluctance from businesses to engage with unsupported environments, and application incompatibility. Microsoft and Dicker Data are working together to provide training for IT professionals and assist businesses in migrating applications. An extended support update program is available, but partners advise against it due to high costs associated with maintaining outdated hardware.

Winsage

November 28, 2024

Your next computer might not be an AI PC — and might even still run Windows 10

The global laptop market is projected to grow by 4.9% to reach 183 million units by 2025, driven by upgrade cycles in commercial sectors and the end-of-life for Windows 10 in October 2025. Currently, Windows 11 has a 36% market share. AI-integrated laptops, while gaining attention, have not significantly impacted market growth, as they are priced 10-15% higher than traditional laptops and many businesses are skeptical about their value. An Intel study indicates that users of AI-capable PCs face challenges in realizing benefits due to a learning curve. In Q3, AI PCs accounted for one in five new laptop shipments, with Windows Copilot+ PCs representing 53% of those sales. The transition from Windows 10 is expected to boost adoption of next-generation computing solutions.

Winsage

June 19, 2024

Is Windows 11 finally ready for take-off? | Microscope

Shane Maher, managing director at Intelliworx, highlights the benefits of Windows 11, such as Copilot and enhanced support features. He suggests that channel partners should emphasize the security, productivity, and future-proofing benefits of Windows 11 to improve adoption rates. However, not all businesses are interested in migrating to Windows 11, and partners can help customers on Windows 10 maximize security and effectiveness through Microsoft 365 licensing and extended security update programs. Jim Elder from Blancco suggests that AI-enabled PCs could accelerate the adoption of Windows 11. Microsoft is using a carrot-and-stick approach to persuade users to upgrade to Windows 11, with the end of life for Windows 10 set for October 2025. Simon Pardo from Computer Care criticizes Windows 11 for preinstalled bloatware, lack of optimization, and forcing users to create a Microsoft account. He suggests that Microsoft address compatibility concerns and provide regular updates for Windows 10 users. The text also discusses the history of Windows operating systems and speculates on the potential launch of Windows 12.