Like Windows Vista and XP before it, Windows 7 will reach the end of its update support cycle early next year.
Full support and updates for Windows 7 have been halted since 2015, but January 14, 2020, will mark the day when even critical security updates stop for the operating system that made its big debut in 2009. That year was the heyday of the tiny and eccentric netbook craze, FarmVille was big on a burgeoning Facebook, and some tech news outlets were claiming that Apple’s rumored tablet computer would never happen. A lot has changed in the tech world since 2009, but Windows 7 has been one of the most long-lasting and popular versions of Windows. But nothing lasts forever in the IT realm. Continue reading Microsoft’s Windows 7 Update Support Ends January 2020
If you haven’t taken advantage of SMU’s Microsoft Office Pilot Program, it may be time to take a closer look! Last year, OIT announced a one-year pilot program to gauge interest in Certiport’s Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) certifications. During the pilot, Microsoft Office Specialist exam certifications in Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Word have been offered for free to current SMU students, faculty, and staff. This industry-standard certification validates technical skills and speaks volumes to prospective employers. SMU students have quickly recognized this value as many who took this as a requirement for a course are returning to the labs to complete additional certifications. 
During the recent SMU Staff Association picnic many of our staff expressed an interest to participate in the 
Within SMU’s Dedman College of Humanities & Sciences, students not only receive a comprehensive liberal arts education; They also have an edge in career preparedness. Through the 
Julia Brooks was a consultant for six years before returning to school to earn her MBA at the Cox School of Business. She was already well-versed in Microsoft Office, and her hard work has paid off as she has accepted an offer of employment from JP Morgan Chase last fall! 