Organisations must start preparing for the transition to Windows 11, so they are not scrambling.
Robert Vinokurov, General Manager, Client Solutions Group for Australia and New Zealand at Dell Technologies says, “The transition to Windows 11 is not just about a software upgrade. It requires runway as budgets are prepared and approved, applications are tested and validated, and new hardware is procured.”
The rapid acquisition and deployment of laptops at the start of the COVID pandemic in 2020 means there are many PCs in use that are at least four years old. Since that time, we have seen the rise of AI and continual progression of technology. Over the next year, organisations will need to make decisions about what PCs will give teams the best user experience and be ready for the next few years.
The good news is that the transition to Windows 11 is expected to be easier than previous updates as they vast majority of apps that work with Windows 10 will work in Windows 11.
“Application compatibility is always a significant concern when upgrading operating systems,” says Vinokurov. “But high compatibility levels between Windows 10 and Windows 11 will reduce the risk of applications not working with this transition.”
One of the most important decisions organisations need to make is how they will approach the transition. While application compatibility is less challenging than previous updates there still needs to be a plan to ensure the switch is carried out in a way that meets business objectives and minimises disruption to operations.
“There are some key decisions to make when it comes to deployment. Organisations can choose a staggered transition where they upgrade users as they receive new hardware in accordance with current device update policies. Alternately, they can choose a phased approach where cohorts of users are upgraded sequentially. Or, they can take a big bang approach where they upgrade all users either by updating existing PCs with Windows 11 or by deploying new hardware,” explains Vinokurov.
Regardless of approach, there needs to be a plan that starts today if it hasn’t already started.
For many organisations, part of the transition program will involve the replacement of ageing end-point devices. Dell advises to not make device choices purely by cost. While there may be a short-term cost saving by acquiring a lower-cost device today, if a new system is not capable of running emerging apps such as AI, then there may lost opportunities to harness new applications and services.
“With so many options that come with the transition, organisations need to think strategically not only about the use-cases today, but incorporate potential future workloads. With the typical life cycle of a device lengthening from the traditional three years to now lasting four or more years, longer term planning is required rather than delivering a short-term saving as the objective,” says Vinokurov.
The incremental cost difference between entry level and better equipped systems is not as great as it was in the past. And there are other decisions such as whether to choose ARM or x86 with multiple processor classes in market as well as the AI PC platform.
Sustainability is a key concern with the need to choose hardware that is energy efficient. This goes beyond just power consumption. Hardware made with recycled and recyclable materials can support an organisation’s ESG objectives.
With employees now looking to work with organisations that show they are environmentally aware, choosing high performing and sustainably sourced hardware is important for attracting new talent. It is important to work with vendors and partners that understand your needs and can present options to meet your budget, operational and ESG needs.
October 2025 is coming fast. Organisations can not afford to wait and make decisions about hardware and platforms. Internal processes such as budgeting and testing, and external factors such as supply chain and product availability mean the upgrade to Windows 11 must start now.
Working with partners and vendors who have experience in system upgrades can help with making decisions that support your needs today and prepare you for the future.
“The transition to Windows 11 is an opportunity for organisations to refresh their environments and prepare for the next generation of computing. By looking beyond the immediate need to run a supported operating system, organisations will be able to embrace AI PCs and all the benefits it offers,” says Vinokurov.