Recent research has shed light on the challenges businesses face as they contemplate migrating to Windows 11. The study, conducted by Panasonic, reveals that a significant portion of organizations is treading carefully, primarily due to cybersecurity threats and financial implications. Notably, the report indicates that nearly two-thirds (62%) of devices currently in use will require replacement or upgrades to achieve compatibility with Windows 11. This figure climbs to a concerning 76% among larger enterprises with over 5,000 employees.
The potential risks associated with remaining on older operating systems, such as Windows 10, are becoming increasingly apparent. A staggering 93% of respondents expressed concerns about ransomware and malware, while data breaches loom large in the minds of many. However, the financial burden of upgrading is also a significant factor; two-thirds of participants reported that migrating to Windows 11 could lead to higher overall costs, with 55% anticipating an increase in cybersecurity expenses.
Moreover, nearly half of the organizations surveyed (47%) highlighted software compatibility issues, and 45% are wary of productivity losses during the transition period. For a quarter of respondents, the need for hardware upgrades is intertwined with software updates, further complicating the financial landscape of this migration.
In stark contrast, Microsoft has estimated that the Extended Security Update (ESU) program could cost around £320,000 over three years for 1,000 devices, underscoring the urgency of making the transition. Despite the challenges, approximately one-third of organizations recognize the potential benefits of upgrading, including enhanced performance and processing power (36%), a more future-proof ecosystem (36%), and access to advanced AI features like Microsoft Copilot (34%).
Chris Turner, Head of Go-to-Market at Panasonic TOUGHBOOK Europe, emphasized the importance of a strategic approach to this migration. “The window is closing for organizations to make a well-planned, measured, and cost-effective transition to Windows 11 and start unlocking its benefits,” he stated. He further noted that those yet to embark on this journey require support to ensure their deployment is neither rushed nor fraught with risk.
