Tech Data in Microsoft XP and Office 2003 call to action

Redouble your efforts to sell upgrades to XP and Office 2003 before it's too late, says distie

Tech Data is calling for resellers to sell more upgrades to XP and Office 2003 customers before support ends in six months' time.

Gemma Horsell, Microsoft business manager at Tech Data UK, said it was a major opportunity for resellers and asks that the channel redouble its efforts in the area.

"It could trigger a surge of upgrade business. There are numerous options available to customers, and they will probably want to take this opportunity to consider what type of client devices they will want to use over the next few years," she said.

"It's thought that as many as one third of business PCs could still be running Windows XP, so the potential for upgrade business could be very big indeed."

Horsell was promoting "a mix" of Windows 7 and Windows 8 as a likely choice, with a view to more mobile working practices and the introduction of a wider range of devices in many organisations.

Tech Data is pushing for hardware upgrades as well. "When users step up to more current versions of Windows and Office, it will also be the ideal time to upgrade their hardware," said Horsell.

An incentive scheme for partners to help sales along is being prepared too, the company indicated.

Windows XP and Office 2003 support ends 8 April 2014.