Still on Windows XP? 5 reasons not to panic

Look at virtualisation

Another option is to look at a virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI). Instead of a costly deployment of new operating systems and the associated maintenance costs, why not leave the hard work to a company like Citrix or VMWare?

Martin Callinan, country manager of Express Metrix, explains: "By running a centralised upgrade deployment through the server, rather than on individual machines, the cost and time requirements for a Windows 7 or 8 rollout can be significantly reduced, whilst security is enhanced."

The London Borough of Barking and Dagenham has started migrating 3,500 council XP desktops and 800 XP laptops to Chromebooks, and expects to save £400,000 compared with sticking with traditional PCs.

What about mobility?

Migrating from XP doesn’t just have to be a headache – it’s also an opportunity. If your workforce isn’t based solely in the office, then take virtualisation one step further and take a look at BYOD. There’s plenty of collaborative work apps like Quip and Huddle out there that allow employees to work on applications together from vastly different locations, whether they are at their desks or on the move.

Callinan says: "Businesses can also take advantage of the benefits of BYOD and increased flexibility enabled by VDI, creating a seamless experience from any location and on any device."