TCS is an authorized Microsoft System Builder.

We sell Microsoft OEM Windows XP licenses with the systems we build and integrate.

Microsoft will soon discontinue selling OEM Windows XP through their sales distribution channels. In industry terms this is called “End-Of-Sales” (EOS). The last day Microsoft Authorized OEM Distributors can purchase Windows XP from Microsoft will be January 31, 2009. For major PC manufacturers, this EOS date was June 30, 2008. OEM Distributors can continue to sell Windows XP to their system builder customers subsequent to January 31, 2009, while they work through their existing inventory.

TCS has taken the pro-active approach to this situation and through coordination with Microsoft, our OEM distributors placed blanket orders that will allow us and you to maintain business as usual for approximately the next 6 months.  At that point our option to offer Windows XP will be to purchase Windows Vista (Business or Ultimate) licenses and downgrade them to Windows XP for you. At this time we are still working out the details of this downgrade process to try and streamline it as much as possible.

Other options TCS can offer are as follows:

1.  Purchase the QTY of OEM Microsoft Windows XP licenses before January 31, 2009 you will require for “X” period of time and  have TCS hold them for you to be utilized as needed with the products you order.

2.  Consider using Windows XP embedded, same software components as Windows XP but can be customized to your application and costs less than OEM Windows XP.

Windows XP Embedded Info.

If you have any further questions please contact us at info@tcs-tech.com.

Windows Vista – why it’s a better option

With Windows Vista, it’s about connecting to the people you care about. It’s about managing everything from photos to finances. It’s about being online without worrying about identity theft or threats. It’s a whole new way of using a PC.

Windows Vista versus Windows XP:

• Windows Vista offers the latest and greatest technology that continues to be updated and enhanced. Windows XP is an older and less current operating system.
• Windows Vista is a superior product that has far more features and functionality than Windows XP.
• If you still need Windows XP for compatibility reasons, you can acquire Windows Vista, then exercise Windows Vista downgrade rights to Windows XP, at no additional charge. When you are ready to upgrade to Windows Vista, you.

What is the schedule for Windows XP End of Sales?

On June 30, 2008, Microsoft stopped distributing Windows XP as a stand-alone product in shrink-wrap you can buy in the store. They also stopped sending it to their large PC manufacturer partners to sell on their PCs. However, system builders may only continue to purchase Windows XP through authorized distributors until January 31, 2009.

What does “End-Of-Sale” mean?

The lifespan of every Microsoft® product is carefully mapped from launch to retirement. One of the milestones in a product lifecycle is End-Of-Sale (EOS), the final date(s) a product will be available from Microsoft for resale by our retail, OEM or licensing partners/ channels. If, for a business reason, an organization needs to continue using and deploying Windows® XP past the EOS date, Microsoft technical support and downgrade rights will continue to be available to them until August 2014.

Will support end when Microsoft stops selling Windows XP?

Although Windows XP will disappear from store shelves in the coming months, we’ll continue to offer extended support for the operating system for six more years, until April 2014.

How long will I be able to obtain downgrade media from my PC maker?

For new PCs that come pre-installed with Windows Vista Business and Windows Vista Ultimate, downgrade media can be provided for Windows XP or a previous version of Windows only until January 31, 2009.

Where can I find more information about downgrade rights?

For specific information on downgrade rights, you can contact your PC manufacturer (OEM).