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Shoreline Technology Solutions

Shoreline Technology Solutions

On January 14, 2020, support for Windows Server 2008 and 2008 R2 will end. That means the end of regular security updates. Don’t let your infrastructure and applications go unprotected. We’re here to help you migrate to current versions for greater security, performance and innovation. There are two modernization paths available to upgrade Small Business Server 2008: On-premises upgrade, or migration by rehosting in Azure.

Windows Server 2008 to Microsoft® Azure Migration

End of support for 2008 servers is coming soon. Migrate your Windows Server and SQL Server applications to Azure.

Security and compliance

Strengthen your security posture and help meet compliance requirements with the most compliance certifications of any cloud provider. Counter sophisticated cyberthreats with our secure cloud foundation.

Thousands of critical business applications around the world – perhaps yours among them – run on SQL Server and Windows Server 2008 and 2008 R2.

Starting in 2019, those versions will face security and compliance risks when support ends. Organizations that run SQL Server and Windows Server without regular security updates are more vulnerable to cyberattacks that could expose customer and business data to theft, damage trust, and erode confidence.

Take steps now to safeguard your environment and help prevent data breaches and legal penalties. When you run current versions of software, you benefit from the latest security, performance, and innovation features, as well as regular security updates.

Cost savings

Reduce your infrastructure costs with free extended security updates, the Azure Hybrid Benefit, and optimized infrastructure. Save up to $750K when you move 100 2008 servers to Azure.

Innovation

Embrace the tools in Azure to modernize your applications. Focus on business innovation with fully managed services like Azure IaaS, Azure SQL Database, and Azure App Service.

On-premises Windows Server 2008 Upgrade

If you need to keep your servers on-premises, and you are running Windows Server 2008 or Windows Server 2008 R2, you will need to upgrade to Windows Server 2012/2012 R2 before you can upgrade to Windows Server 2016. As you upgrade, you still have the option to migrate to Azure by rehosting.

As you are planning your Server 2008 upgrade, be aware of the following guidelines for the middle step of upgrading to Windows Server 2012 R2.

  • You can’t do an in-place upgrade from a 32-bit to 64-bit architectures or from one build type to another (fre to chk, for example).
  • You can’t do an in-place upgrade from a 32-bit to 64-bit architectures or from one build type In-place upgrades are only supported in the same language. You can’t upgrade from one language to another.o another (fre to chk, for example).
  • You can’t migrate from a Windows Server 2008 server core installation to Windows Server 2012 R2 with the Server GUI (called “Server with Full Desktop” in Windows Server). You can switch your upgraded server core installation to Server with Full Desktop, but only on Windows Server 2012 R2. Windows Server 2016 and later do not support switching from server core to Full Desktop, so make that switch before you upgrade to Windows Server 2016.

How can Shoreline Technology Solutions help upgrade my Windows Server 2008?

When it comes to upgrading Small Business Server 2008, our techs can help your business assess, migrate, and optimize your upgrade.

  • Assess – Identify and inventory your apps and server roles running on Windows Server 2008 and 2008 R2. Analyze each workload to determine the best path—migrate to Azure or upgrade on-premises.
  • Migrate – Make the move—migrate your virtual machines to Azure or upgrade to the latest version of Windows Server.
  • Optimize – Fine-tune your resources to optimize costs, manage resources, and strengthen security and compliance across hybrid workloads.

Contact us today to learn how our small business server 2008 modernization paths can help protect your business. We also support Windows Small Business Server 2011 Upgrades.

Additional Windows Server 2008 Upgrade resources:

About Shoreline Technology Solutions

Founded by Mark Kolean in the late 1990s, Shoreline Technology Solutions started primarily as a break-fix IT service. As the business evolved, STS transitioned, becoming a versatile managed services provider for small to medium-size businesses with 5 to 50 users.

In addition to offering server disaster recovery and other break-fix services, STS also provides business computer sales, offsite cloud-based data backup, network design and management as well as customer-focused IT support.

We are proudly located in Holland, Michigan. Request a free IT assessment or contact us today!

Client Testimonials

John Cavedo Jr
google
John Cavedo Jr
January 28, 2025

Professional, Responsive, Affordable. Highly recommend for your IT needs.

Dan Lampe
google
Dan Lampe
January 27, 2025

STS has been very proactive in preventing issues. Very responsive in taking care of problems. Long term satisfied customer.

Dylan Walter
google
Dylan Walter
January 12, 2025

Great staff & they quickly take care of your IT needs! Would recommend

Eric Schaefer
google
Eric Schaefer
December 19, 2024

Thornapple Township is very pleased to have Shoreline Technology Solutions as our IT provider for over 3 years. The transition from our previous provider to STS was smooth. Mark has assembled a team of knowledgeable professionals, and their fast, friendly and professional service is appreciated. We also like the fact that they are proactive in their approach to managing our environment. Thank you Mark and Team!

Jennifer Williams
google
Jennifer Williams
November 1, 2024

Shoreline Technology Solutions is GREAT to work with and has a wonderful staff---always eager to help and solve all my issues! When I was in jam, they offered many options and identified the lowest cost solution---which as a small business owner I SO appreciate! If you want an IT solution you can TRUST---chose Shoreline Technology Solutions!

Russell
google
Russell
September 22, 2024

The Shoreline team is first class. Professional, efficient and all of their recommendations have helped us improve our business operations!

Chad Kirkpatrick
google
Chad Kirkpatrick
June 27, 2024

Our non-profit organization, Broadway Grand Rapids, has worked with Shoreline for years and as technology continues to evolve and change, they have been there to guide us. From advanced security implementation to our successful cloud migration project, they have proactively advised us and walked us through it all. It's not just the big projects that they excel at! STS has been our wholistic IT partner keeping us running on a day to day basis as well. Their fast and friendly team always answers and responds quickly to our needs no matter how big or small. No matter your size or experience level, they are the ideal IT partner, and I can't recommend them enough.

Emma Battle
google
Emma Battle
April 15, 2024

We appreciate the fast, friendly and proactive services provided while working both in the office and while working remotely.

Austin Schild
google
Austin Schild
December 26, 2023

STS has been managing our companies' equipment and network for a few years now. We couldn't be happier with their service. Fast and timely responses, efficient problem solving via remote access, and seamless transitions with little to no downtime during upgrades or additions to the network. Definitely give STS a chance if you're in the market for an IT company to help manage all your computer and network needs!

jim hovinga
google
jim hovinga
December 26, 2023

Mark and his team have taken care of all my IT needs.....knowledgable, professional and a pleasure to work with.

David Fagerstrom
google
David Fagerstrom
December 26, 2023

They are there when we call. That means a lot to up

Morgan Langejans
google
Morgan Langejans
December 26, 2023

We have only been using Shoreline for a few months now, we switched over to them from another local tech company. The difference in company's is not comparable. If we put a ticket into shoreline they respond within 24 hours, it is usually the same day. Shoreline has amazing customer support; they remote into our computers and are very quick to solve our issues. If for some reason they cannot solve it just by remoting in we had Terri stop in within an hour to help us. We are very grateful for Shoreline, and we are very thankful for your team!

Kendra Ortega
google
Kendra Ortega
December 26, 2023

Mark and his team have done an excellent job with my business tech assistance and security. I highly recommend them.

Rachel Keur-Nelson
google
Rachel Keur-Nelson
December 23, 2023

Easy to work with and no down time on systems updates, etc.!

Susan Beyer
google
Susan Beyer
March 15, 2023

Shoreline Technology Solutions is very helpful for our IT needs. They provide excellent customer service and are always readily available to answer our questions and solve our tech issues.

Stuek
google
Stuek
November 8, 2022

Mark and his team are excellent at what they do. They helped us with a large server upgrade and the transition was very easy on my staff with very little work interruption. I highly recommend Shoreline Technology Solutions.

Diana Sprik
google
Diana Sprik
May 5, 2022

We are a small office in Holland and have been using Shoreline for over 5 years. We have found them to offer proactive service and IT suggestions. The service is consistently fast and friendly. Because of solutions implemented by Shoreline we've had reliable remote access which has allowed us to be more flexible in our work. The hardware Shoreline installed has been quality and long-lasting. It is clear in all they do that Shoreline takes IT security seriously and we feel well protected by the systems they've put in place. Overall, we have been very pleased with the great relationship we've built with Shoreline and consider them a true partner in functioning at our best.

Jen Aulgur
google
Jen Aulgur
February 24, 2022

Shoreline Technology Solutions has been our IT specialists since 2016 and they took us from a very antiquated system to something that works for our busy lives at Harbor Humane Society. We have over 5 years of great support with Shoreline. They are extremely fast and typically address our concerns within the same day. They offer proactive services and suggestions. They are helping us with our long term IT security goals as well as continuing to maintain and update our equipment and systems as needed. We highly recommend Shoreline Technology Solutions to meet your business needs!

Ralph Hensley
google
Ralph Hensley
November 18, 2021

Shoreline Technology had been with us for 7 plus years. They have done a great job of moving us to a reliable system environment, moving us to new platforms, responding to our urgent requests and providing us with counsel on system development. They manage all of our devices, wireless and system server, and all of our user devices. They always respond to our needs quickly and we value having them as a trusted valued added partner. With lots of sensitive and confidential information on our servers, its great to know we have a partner who is looking out for our best interests and the interests of the church. We would not want to be with any other IT provider. We were and it was not a pleasant relationship. I would recommend to any company looking to have a value added partners, look no further Shoreline Technology is the answer.

Clint Myers
google
Clint Myers
November 11, 2021

Mark and his team at Shoreline have been fantastic to work with as Shoreline helped us unbundle and reconfigure our network this past year! They worked around our schedule to minimize downtime and quickly responded when we had questions. Highly recommend

Ryan Dykstra
google
Ryan Dykstra
October 25, 2021

Basic IT break-fix issues are unpredictable and sometimes maddening - especially if they're left to accumulate over time. A dependable and competent resource for IT is very important for us and has been surprisingly hard to find, but that’s exactly what we have now after signing up with Shoreline. They're responsive, professional and efficient (and nice to be around!). Our productivity has increased and downtime has virtually disappeared.

Marc Vlietstra
google
Marc Vlietstra
July 7, 2021

Mark and his team at Shoreline Tech have supported our company for over 8 years. They are very responsive to any calls for support and can always find a solution to our communication issues. They continue to support our older server and have already laid plans for the upgrade due in 2023. As our machines age and technology advances, communication becomes more difficult between our workstations and the machine controls. They remotely repair our system when necessary so that we can maintain our production schedule. I highly recommend the team at Shoreline and have no desire to search for another IT service. Their service and knowledge are top notch.

Amanda J. Snyder
google
Amanda J. Snyder
March 9, 2021

We hired Shoreline Technology Solutions (STS) in January 2021 to be our managed IT provider and migrate our current IT environment onto a brand new, cloud-based system utilizing Microsoft 365. Our situation was challenging and unique, but Mark and his team didn’t hesitate to take on the challenge. During the planning stages, STS was very proactive in making recommendations for items we never considered. They helped us plan and think through all stages of the migration process. We couldn’t have asked for a more seamless and easy transition. Downtime was minimal and any end-user issues were met with friendly, efficient service. Now that we’re through the migration, our organization is happily working under the new system with great efficiency. We look forward to a long-standing relationship with STS as our IT service provider.

L B
google
L B
November 16, 2020

So grateful for the STS help at a crazy time right before the election. The internet outage at the office meant that I couldn’t issue ballots to people who were stopping in all day long to vote early. Kyle not only helped me set up my computer to work off my phone’s hotspot, but he came back later to network the new laptops together for the election day festivities—something that I just didn’t have time for.

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