For many years, Microsoft Change has been the spine of enterprise communications, powering emailing, scheduling and collaboration for organizations worldwide. Whether or not deployed on-premises or in hybrid environments, corporations of all sizes depend on Change for seamless inner and exterior communication, usually integrating it deeply with their workflows, compliance insurance policies and safety frameworks.
Nonetheless, Microsoft has formally introduced that assist for Change Server 2016 and Change Server 2019 will finish on October 14, 2025. Whereas this will likely appear to be a distant concern, companies and IT groups should begin getting ready now. The top of assist implies that Microsoft will not present safety patches, bug fixes or technical assist, leaving organizations working on these variations uncovered to safety vulnerabilities, compliance dangers and potential operational disruptions.
So, what ought to companies do now? On this article, we’ll discover the affect of Microsoft’s resolution, the dangers of constant with an unsupported Change surroundings and the obtainable choices to make sure enterprise continuity and safety. When you’re an IT decision-maker or enterprise chief navigating this transition, maintain studying — as a result of ignoring this shift may depart your group susceptible.
What does Microsoft’s finish of assist imply for Change 2016 and 2019 customers?
The top of assist for Change 2016 and 2019 is not nearly shedding updates — it is about severe safety, compliance and operational dangers.
- Safety dangers: With out safety patches, Change 2016 and 2019 change into prime targets for cybercriminals. Unpatched vulnerabilities can result in knowledge breaches, ransomware assaults and email-based threats, placing delicate enterprise communications in danger.
- Lack of technical assist: After October 14, 2025, Microsoft will not present fixes, patches or help. If one thing breaks, IT groups will probably be on their very own — resulting in longer downtimes, expensive troubleshooting and potential enterprise disruptions.
- Compliance dangers: Laws just like the Basic Knowledge Safety Regulation (GDPR) and the Well being Insurance coverage Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) require companies to make use of safe, up-to-date software program. Working outdated Change variations may result in fines, audits and authorized penalties if a safety incident happens.
- Operational inefficiencies: Older software program lacks trendy options, efficiency enhancements and integrations, making communication slower and IT upkeep extra advanced. Maintaining Change 2016 or 2019 working can even value extra over time as assist assets dwindle.
Necessary word: This finish of assist additionally applies to a number of associated Microsoft merchandise, together with Microsoft Workplace 2016, Microsoft Workplace 2019, Outlook 2016, Outlook 2019, Skype for Enterprise 2016, Skype for Enterprise 2019, Skype for Enterprise Server 2015 and Skype for Enterprise Server 2019.
Key dates to remember
Microsoft follows a two-phase assist lifecycle for its merchandise: Mainstream Assist and Prolonged Assist.
Mainstream Assist consists of function updates, safety patches and technical help, whereas Prolonged Assist focuses solely on vital safety fixes — no new options, bug fixes or complimentary assist. As soon as Prolonged Assist ends, Microsoft utterly stops all updates and help, leaving you with none security web.
What are the most effective choices to maintain your online business safe and working easily?
Sticking with outdated Change variations is not a viable choice for IT groups — the dangers far outweigh any short-term comfort. Let’s discover the most effective migration paths and options to maintain your group safe, environment friendly and compliant.
1. Improve to Change Server Subscription Version (Change Server SE)
Microsoft has introduced Change Server Subscription Version (Change Server SE), a brand new subscription-based model of Change for organizations that require an on-premises e mail answer. This feature is greatest for companies that want to keep up compliance-driven, on-prem infrastructure or desire a hybrid mannequin that integrates with Microsoft 365.
Nonetheless, there are some key issues companies should contemplate earlier than this migration:
- Requires periodic upgrades: Change Server SE would require common updates, that means IT groups should keep on prime of upkeep.
- Licensing and upkeep prices: A subscription mannequin means ongoing prices, and organizations will nonetheless have to handle and safe their very own infrastructure.
- Advanced improve path from Change 2016: Microsoft recommends that companies improve to Change 2019 earlier than transferring to Change Server SE since direct in-place upgrades to Change SE will not be supported.
2. Migrate to Change On-line (Microsoft 365)
For companies seeking to transfer past on-premises infrastructure, Change On-line (Microsoft 365) is a compelling choice. This cloud-based answer eliminates server upkeep, enhances safety and improves scalability, making it perfect for organizations embracing a cloud-first technique.
Key benefits of selecting Change On-line embody:
- No extra server upkeep: Microsoft handles all updates, patches and infrastructure administration, liberating IT groups from the burden of sustaining Change servers.
- Constructed-in safety and compliance: Change On-line consists of automated safety updates, risk safety and compliance instruments to satisfy regulatory necessities, corresponding to GDPR and HIPAA.
- Scalability and accessibility: Staff can securely entry e mail from wherever, with 99.9% uptime and versatile storage choices that scale with enterprise wants.
- Enhanced collaboration: As a part of Microsoft 365, Change On-line integrates seamlessly with Groups, SharePoint and OneDrive, enhancing productiveness and knowledge administration.
Nonetheless, there are some potential challenges as properly.
- Migration complexity: Shifting giant quantities of e mail knowledge will be time-consuming and requires cautious planning to reduce downtime.
- Licensing prices: Microsoft 365 operates on a subscription mannequin, that means ongoing per-user licensing charges.
- Consumer adoption and coaching: Staff may have coaching to completely make the most of new options and guarantee a clean transition.
3. Migrate to Google Workspace
For companies in search of a cheap, cloud-first various to Microsoft 365, Google Workspace is a powerful contender. It offers seamless collaboration, built-in safety and diminished IT overhead, making it an interesting alternative, particularly for organizations that do not require the superior instruments included in lots of Microsoft 365 plans.
Notably, Google Workspace is commonly extra cost-competitive than Microsoft 365. Whereas Microsoft 365 pricing ranges from $6 to $22 per consumer per 30 days, Google Workspace plans usually fall between $6 and $18 per consumer per 30 days, with enterprise pricing obtainable upon request.
A few of the benefits in switching to Google Workspace embody:
- Decrease IT overhead: No Change server upkeep, lowering {hardware} and operational prices.
- Scalability and adaptability: Google’s cloud infrastructure scales with your online business wants with out extra IT effort.
- Collaboration and productiveness: Google Workspace integrates Gmail, Google Drive, Meet and Docs, enabling real-time collaboration throughout groups.
In the meantime, potential challenges embody:
- Migration complexity: Transitioning from Change will be disruptive, requiring cautious knowledge migration planning.
- Consumer coaching and adoption: Staff accustomed to Outlook and Microsoft apps may have coaching to adapt to Gmail and Google instruments.
- Integration challenges with legacy methods: Companies utilizing on-prem methods, like buyer relationship administration (CRM) or enterprise useful resource planning (ERP), that depend on Change might wrestle with integration. Configuring Google Workspace Sync for Outlook or utilizing third-party migration instruments can assist bridge the hole.
Planning your migration journey from Change 2016 and 2019
Whether or not you select to remain on-prem with Change Server SE or migrate to the cloud with Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace, understanding the best migration steps is crucial for a clean transition.
Getting ready for Change Server SE
For companies staying on-premises with Change Server SE, the improve path depends upon your present Change model:
- When you’re working Change 2016, Microsoft recommends upgrading to Change 2019 now, as direct in-place upgrades to Change SE will not be supported.
- When you’re already on Change 2019, you’ll be able to merely maintain your servers updated and carry out an in-place improve to Change Server SE as soon as it turns into obtainable.
Transitioning to a SaaS surroundings (Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace)
Migrating to a cloud-based answer like Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace gives companies higher flexibility, safety and scalability whereas eliminating the burden of server upkeep. Beneath is a high-level guidelines to information your clean transition from Change to a SaaS platform.
Section 1: Planning and preparation
Begin by assessing your present surroundings. Establish mailboxes, shared accounts and integrations with third-party instruments like CRM or ERP methods. Select the best migration technique and instruments, whether or not transferring from Change to Microsoft 365, Change to Google Workspace or utilizing Web Message Entry Protocol (IMAP) migration instruments.
Subsequent, confirm your area in Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace, guaranteeing e mail routing is correctly arrange. Consumer communication and coaching are additionally essential — maintain workers knowledgeable and supply vital coaching to reduce disruption. Lastly, vital knowledge have to be backed up earlier than migration to guard towards any surprising knowledge loss. That is the place a dependable backup answer can save the day.
Section 2: Migration execution
To keep away from downtime, configure MX data to maintain Change working as the first mail server through the migration. If transferring to Google Workspace, arrange Google Workspace Migration for Microsoft Change (GWMME). Carry out an preliminary batch sync with chosen customers, then check the migration to make sure emails, contacts and calendars switch appropriately. Migrate customers in batches, prioritizing key groups first and monitoring the method intently by way of admin instruments.
Section 3: Cutover and post-migration
As soon as the migration is validated, swap MX data to your new platform, redirecting all new emails to Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace. Replace safety settings, together with Sender Coverage Framework (SPF), DomainKeys Recognized Mail (DKIM) and Area-based Message Authentication, Reporting and Conformance (DMARC) to boost e mail safety. Lastly, if Change is not wanted, decommission your Change Server after confirming a profitable migration.
Safe your cloud knowledge with Backupify
Migrating to Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace shifts e mail administration to the cloud, however it would not eradicate knowledge loss dangers. Beneath the shared accountability mannequin of cloud safety, whereas cloud suppliers safe their infrastructure, prospects are answerable for securing their very own knowledge towards unintended deletion, cyberthreats and different knowledge loss situations. With out a devoted backup, companies danger shedding vital emails, recordsdata and collaboration knowledge with no option to recuperate them.
That is the place Backupify is available in. As a trusted SaaS backup answer, Backupify ensures that companies utilizing Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace have a safe, automated security web for his or her cloud knowledge. Whether or not it is unintended deletions, ransomware assaults or compliance necessities, Backupify offers full knowledge safety, so that you by no means lose entry to vital enterprise info.
Why over 40,000 companies belief Backupify:
- Automated, each day backups: Shield emails, recordsdata and collaboration knowledge with steady backups.
- Fast and dependable restoration: Restore misplaced or deleted knowledge immediately, avoiding expensive downtime.
- Superior safety: With Backupify’s personal, immutable cloud storage, be certain that your knowledge is secure from every kind of knowledge threats.
- Compliance and knowledge retention: Meet HIPAA, GDPR and different trade mandates with customizable retention insurance policies.
- Save on storage prices: Archive inactive consumer knowledge at a fraction of the fee in comparison with different choices.
Do not take dangers along with your business-critical knowledge — view the highest 5 causes IT Execs select Backupify for Microsoft 365 safety right here.
