Legacy machine support

Legacy machines, properly isolated and still supported

You can't always just replace a PC. When it's wired into a CNC, CMM or other machine costing tens or hundreds of thousands of pounds, that PC stays in service for as long as the machine does. Kinetic isolates these systems so they can keep running safely, instead of pretending the problem doesn't exist.

Talk to us about a legacy machine Call 01623 707 888

Why this matters

The PC is part of the machine, not separate from it

We work with engineering and manufacturing businesses where control PCs, HMIs and measurement systems are tied directly to expensive capital equipment. Replacing the PC can mean re-certifying software, re-calibrating a machine, or finding out the manufacturer no longer supports it at all. Until that machine is replaced, the PC running it has to keep working too.

That's why we isolate, not ignore

  • Legacy machines segmented onto their own isolated network
  • No direct path between legacy kit and the main business network
  • Windows XP and Windows 7 still supported on isolated machines
  • Backups taken and tested, even on systems this old

Isolation, not a compliance gap

How this fits with Cyber Essentials Plus

An unsupported operating system on your main network is a real risk, and something we'd flag and fix as part of Cyber Essentials Plus readiness. A legacy machine that has been properly segmented onto its own isolated network, with no route back into the rest of the business, is a different situation - it sits outside the certified network scope rather than undermining it. That's the difference between removing unsupported systems and managing them properly.

What we actually do

Keeping old machines running for as long as they need to

Continued XP / Windows 7 support

We keep these machines patched where possible, monitored and properly maintained, even though they're long past mainstream support.

Backups built for old hardware

We understand how important it is to back up these machines properly - drivers, configuration and data, not just files - so a failure doesn't mean starting from nothing.

Sourcing recovery hardware

When a 15-year-old motherboard or drive fails, we source equivalent period-correct hardware where possible, so the machine it's attached to can keep running.

Network isolation and segmentation

Legacy machines are separated from the main business network, so age and unsupported software don't become a route into the rest of your systems.

Shop floor visits when needed

Our engineers attend site with full PPE and complete any site induction or familiarisation training required before working on or near production equipment.

Planning for eventual replacement

We'll always tell you honestly when a machine is becoming a real risk, so replacement is a planned decision, not a panic.

Got a legacy machine that can't just be switched out?

Tell us about the equipment it's attached to and we'll talk through how to keep it running safely.