When a software developer ends support for a specific software product, that means they will no longer provide security updates, bug fixes, or customer support. This could be because the manufacturer has gone out of business, they have discontinued the product, or because the product is simply too old to be supported anymore.
There are a number of reasons why people might be tempted to run unsupported software. Perhaps they have an old computer that isn't capable of running the latest software(which is a completely different risk), or maybe they're simply attached to a particular piece of software and don't want to upgrade to something newer. It's also possible that they simply can't decide what software to move into. Whatever the reason, running unsupported software can be outright dangerous.
The consequences of running outdated software can be more significant if your business is in a regulated industry such as healthcare or payment processing. Regulated businesses need to ensure they are using only the most updated software. When unsupported software is run in these industries, it may not meet regulatory requirements, leading to hefty fines, and sometimes legal action.
Additionally, unsupported software may not be compatible with newer operating systems or hardware, which can cause compatibility issues and may even cause your system to crash or become unstable.
Finally, it's always a good idea to back up your system regularly so that you can recover quickly in case anything ever goes wrong.
If your software is end-of-life and you need to make a switch, Windward Software can help.
Or talk to one of our Business Developers to find out what Windward System Five can do for your business.