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DEARBORN, MI -- (Marketwired) -- 06/03/13 -- While Y2K turned out to be a non-event more than 13 years ago, there's a greater potential for risk, especially among individuals and small businesses, when Microsoft ends its support for Windows XP and Office 2003 on April 8, 2014.

"With Y2K there were years of pre-planning by large corporations that helped to raise awareness among the public-at-large," said Ryan O'Hara, founder of Sphinx Technology Solutions. "When Microsoft ends its support for Windows XP next year, there's a potentially much greater risk for small businesses and individuals, because there's not the same level of awareness, and many smaller companies do not have in-house IT support."

When Microsoft introduced Windows XP and Office 2003, it committed to 10 years minimum support with ongoing upgrades and security updates. Beginning April 8, 2014, there will be no new security updates, free or paid assisted support options or online technical content updates. Users will need to upgrade to Windows 7 or Windows 8.

Computers that are not upgraded will be vulnerable to security and compliance risks. According to O'Hara, there may be additional issues for attorneys, CPAs and other professionals who are required to maintain client records and documents that were created in Windows XP.

O'Hara also advised that individuals and businesses may want to consider replacing or upgrading their computers before next April, rather than investing in upgrading older machines with XP that will be out of date within a few months.

Other considerations for business and organizations are any specialized software packages that are configured to run only on XP.

"Even with all the pre-planning for Y2K, there were unknowns about what would happen," added O'Hara. "In this case, what happens next April is a 'certainty' if you don't upgrade from XP."

For more information and the services Sphinx Technology Solutions provides, visit www.spxtech.com or call 313-920-4622.

About Sphinx Technology Solutions

Sphinx Technology Solutions, www.spxtech.com, specializes in computer services for both Mac and PC users throughout metro Detroit. The company's technology specialists serve as the dedicated IT department for a variety of small businesses and organizations. Services include recommendations for and installation of hardware, software, networks, diagnostics and repair, virus and spyware removal, data recovery, syncing of mobile devices, and other technology consulting.

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