Mr Koppers, when exactly will sales of which XP operating systems end?

Koppers: In the near future, sales of the two versions relevant to the industry will end: Windows XP Professional for Embedded Systems on December 31, 2016 and the modular Windows XP Embedded on January 31, 2017. Apart from the exotic 64-bit version of XP Professional and the XP Embedded-based version for POS systems, Windows Embedded POSReady 2009, XP licenses will therefore no longer be available to us manufacturers and retailers via the embedded channel of official distributors.

Are XP operating systems still in use at all?

Koppers: Microsoft discontinued extended support for Windows XP back in April 2014. Since then, no more security updates have been released. As a normal office workstation with Windows XP and the Internet, problems can arise because security gaps in the operating system can no longer be closed. However, many industrial PCs in existing machines and systems have been in reliable use for ten years or more. The computers operate securely as self-sufficient islands without a connection to the Internet - even without updates. An external attack on the system is almost impossible. When the systems were installed, there was no talk of Industry 4.0 and the Internet of Things. At the same time, there are many applications and drivers that were programmed specifically for the operating system, as well as special hardware, such as plug-in cards for data processing. Because, for example, the exact timing of data processing in real-time applications only corresponds exactly to this hardware and software combination, compatibility with Windows XP and the chipset is crucial. Switching to a different operating system requires a completely new development and cannot be economically justified without necessity. And so industrial PCs with the mature and proven Windows XP operating system are often still doing their job today.

So what advice would you give XP users?

Koppers: The subsequent procurement of an XP computer can be very problematic. This is because in industrial applications with Windows XP, all system components are based on each other and are coordinated. If one component is replaced, for example Windows XP with Windows 10, all other system components must be adapted.
As a minimum precaution, Windows XP users should carefully store their existing installation media and licenses. However, the ideal precaution for service cases is to keep pre-installed industrial PCs on hand. We recommend this measure for users as well as for machine and plant manufacturers. Even if Windows XP-compatible hardware will still be available on the market for some time, compatibility with Windows XP does not automatically mean compatibility with the specific application. The operating system, mainboard, chipset, data acquisition, associated drivers and the application software must work together perfectly. TL Electronic will continue to offer industrial PCs with the Windows XP operating system until the end of the year.

For whom is the purchase worthwhile?

Koppers: Our advice is aimed at end users as well as machine and plant manufacturers who continue to use or service existing industrial applications with Windows XP. You know how many applications with Windows XP are in use in the field. Now is the time to decide: How long do you want to be equipped to replace a defective industrial PC? At some point, the control PC will fail. The downtime of a machine or system until a compatible replacement is available - or, in the worst case, a completely new investment - must be set in relation to the acquisition costs of a pre-installed industrial PC. The decisive factor is how long Windows XP will continue to be used.