The End of Windows 7 Support: Are You Prepared?

It’s news that is quickly becoming a real concern for many MedTech manufacturers: support for Windows 7 is coming to an end in January 2020. This change is forcing many in the industry to upgrade their medical devices to allow for continued operation.

The MedTech industry is no stranger to change, especially regarding the increase in the types of medical devices available and the necessity of ongoing software upgrades. In 2015, Microsoft ended support for Windows 7. When this happened, many manufacturers purchased the extended support that will no longer be accessible as of January 14, 2020.

Just last year, Microsoft discontinued support for Windows 8 and now plans to end the extended support for that product in January 2023. And while manufacturers can still use Windows 7 and 8, there will be no support come the end dates. This includes technical support, software updates and security updates, which leaves medical devices vulnerable.

Because of the increase of medical devices in hospitals and facilities nation-wide, the upgrade to Windows 10 is a massive undertaking. At a minimum, the process necessitates that devices be taken off the network, upgraded and put back on the network. It requires knowledgeable, experienced technicians who understand how the devices work and how to execute the upgrades with minimal interruptions to business in a reasonable timeframe.

Partnering with a Third-Party Vendor

Novasyte Health’s Field Technical Program specializes in product upgrades, as well as preventative maintenance, installations, and repair support.

Over the past two years alone, we have provided Field Tech Consultants to the medical device and diagnostic industry for field service, field actions, implementations, IT support and technical training support. Those consultants have provided more than 250,000 hours of service, giving our clients back more than 31,000 (8-hour) workdays.

Clients who utilize this program have access to our national network of the highest-quality field teams. With extensive experience on products of varying complexity, we are ready to scale up quickly and service any of your technical needs when it comes to the Windows upgrade.

Interested in connecting with a team member to learn more about our Field Technical Program? Request a call back to learn more.

Another area where partnering with a third-party vendor can be valuable is recall support. If something goes awry during the medical device upgrade process, Novasyte Health’s S.M.A.R.T. Recall Program™ offers closed-loop recall support for all levels of field actions - from non-reportable actions to the most urgent Class 1 recalls.

With S.M.A.R.T., we automate, manage, trace and report every step of your recall execution in real-time from initial notification, acknowledgment check validation, onsite or remote remediation or retrieval, through to destruction and product return. By mobilizing notifications, phone teams and field technician teams quickly, we are able to respond with the utmost urgency on your behalf.

Interested in connecting with a team member about our S.M.A.R.T. Recall Program™? Request a call back to learn more.

Real-Time Analytics

For both our Field Technical and S.M.A.R.T. Recall Programs, we track and measure program success in Novasyte LYNC. Novasyte LYNC is our real-time data analytics platform and it provides the detailed reporting analytics you need to stay informed and evaluate where and when support is needed. These insights not only provide a clear picture of the overall Windows upgrade project but also allow you to scale your business to maximize program success.

With 2020 quickly approaching, now is the time to focus on upgrading your medical devices to Windows 10. Learn more about how Novasyte Health can help you when you click on our programs below.