As we enter the final quarter of the year, IT teams are not only closing projects but also reviewing the health of their existing environments. Many core infrastructure components, operating systems, virtualisation layers, and management tools, quietly approach End of Life (EOL) or End of Support (EOS) without immediate visibility. We want to ensure you understand what those milestones mean, why they matter, and how our experts in Enterprise Solutions can help you plan and budget upgrades effectively before they become urgent. 

Why Products go EOL and EOS 

Products typically reach EOL and EOS when newer versions offer improved performance, enhanced security, and compatibility with modern standards. Continuing to support outdated hardware or software can become costly and inefficient for manufacturers, especially as maintaining patches for legacy systems diverts resources from developing new solutions. These decisions are driven by factors such as emerging technologies, compliance requirements, and the need to reduce vulnerabilities. For businesses, this means planning is essential. 

Why This Matters 

The main risks of end-of-life (EOL) or end-of-support (EOS) products go far beyond inconvenience, they directly impact security, compliance, and business continuity.
When vendors discontinue updates and patches, your infrastructure becomes exposed to threats that can cause downtime, data loss, or even breaches. 

Key risks with EOL and EOS Products: 

Security vulnerabilities: EOL products stop receiving security patches, leaving them open to exploits. 

Compatibility issues: Older systems struggle to integrate with modern platforms, leading to cascading performance and reliability issues. 

Higher operational costs: Maintaining unsupported platforms often requires costly manual fixes or third-party support. 

Compliance violations: Unsupported systems may fail audits or industry standards. 

No vendor accountability: After support ends, vendors are not liable for incidents or vulnerabilities discovered later. 

Running EOL systems is a major business risk — but it’s one you can still control with proactive planning. 

Why Q4 Is the Right Time 

As the year draws to a close, most organisations review their projects, costs, and budgets for next year. This is the perfect window to assess your IT lifecycle before renewals, audits, or compliance checks roll in. 

Many customers only realize late in Q4 that critical Microsoft, Citrix, or Nutanix components are about to hit EOL/EOS, leaving little time to react. 

Now is the time to: 

• Identify EOL/EOS components
• Prioritise migrations for 2025 – 2026
• Align next-year budgets for upgrades or replacements 

That’s why Q4 is your opportunity to align lifecycle management with financial planning and keep your IT secure going into 2026.

Lifecycle Snapshot: Microsoft + Citrix + Nutanix (2025–2026)

This diagram provides a quick at-a-glance reference for which versions are safe, at-risk, or already out of support.

This shows the migration journey — from identifying outdated systems to reaching the safe zone, using Enterprise Solutions’ free lifecycle assessment.

Checklist for Budget Planning (with ES Partnership Focus)

• Evaluate upgrade vs. replacement costs comprehensively
• Include training, consulting, and internal readiness
• Align lifecycle projects with your CAPEX and OPEX strategy
• Leverage ES lifecycle expertise for planning and funding alignment
• Plan early proof-of-concepts (POCs) in Q1 to avoid project congestion
• Use available support entitlements or service credits efficiently

Leverage Flex Credits or Support Entitlements

• Use remaining Enterprise Solutions existing Flex Credits for migration workshops or deeper assessments
• Book a Citrix Upgrade Readiness Check – define scope and cost before budgeting
• Request an environment assessment from your Enterprise Solutions Account Manager – we’ll help map dependencies, plan upgrades, and reduce risk.

Typical Components Frequently Hitting EOL/EOS

• Windows Server OS
• Windows Client OS
• Citrix Virtual Apps/Desktop – Older versions
• Citrix NetScaler ADC 12.x / 13.0
• Citrix NetScaler ADM Components
• Nutanix AOS 6.6 / 6.7 STS
• Azure AD Graph API, MFA Serve
• Citrix WEM
• Profile Management Solutions
• Citrix FAS
• Older versions of MS Office
• Citrix Hypervisor (aka XenServer) Components
• Microsoft Teams / Exchange related Components

Q4 isn’t just the end of a business year, it can be your launchpad for a secure 2026. Take advantage of this window to identify risks, modernise your environment, and plan your budget wisely. EOL’s and EOS’s don’t have to be disruptive. With Enterprise Solutions, you gain a trusted partner who ensures smooth transitions, minimises risk, and positions your IT as a driver to futureproof your environment. Contact us today to discuss your EOL/EOS roadmap and keep your business secure, compliant, and future-ready. 

Email: asktheexpert@entsol.ie / asktheexpert@entsol.uk