Mark your calendars, Microsoft Office 2013 users. January 14, 2020, is a date that's been circled in red for quite some time. This is the day when extended support for Office 2013 ends, marking the end of an era for many businesses and individuals who have been relying on this suite for their productivity needs.
But what does this end of extended support really mean for you? Let's dive into the details, explore the implications, and understand what you can do to ensure a smooth transition to a more secure and up-to-date environment.
Understanding Extended Support and Its End
When Microsoft releases a new version of Office, it provides two types of support: mainstream and extended. Mainstream support lasts for five years, during which Microsoft provides security updates, bug fixes, and new features. Extended support, which lasts an additional five years, focuses primarily on security updates and bug fixes that don't introduce new features.
Once extended support ends, Microsoft no longer provides any updates, including security patches. This can leave your system vulnerable to threats and compliance issues, as you'll no longer receive critical updates to protect against newly discovered vulnerabilities.
Impact on Security and Compliance
The end of extended support for Office 2013 means that your system will no longer receive security updates, leaving it vulnerable to potential threats. This can put your data, as well as your customers' data, at risk. Moreover, without the latest security patches, you may struggle to meet regulatory compliance standards, such as HIPAA, GDPR, or PCI-DSS.
To illustrate, consider the WannaCry ransomware attack in 2017. Many of the affected systems were running outdated software, including older versions of Office, which were no longer receiving security updates. The lack of patches left these systems vulnerable to the WannaCry worm, highlighting the importance of keeping your software up-to-date.
Impact on Features and Functionality
While the security implications are the most pressing concern, the end of extended support also means that you'll miss out on new features and functionality. Microsoft continually improves and updates its software, and these updates are only available to systems running the latest supported versions.
For instance, Office 2013 users won't be able to take advantage of new features like the Focused Inbox in Outlook, real-time collaboration in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, or the improved security and compliance features in Office 365. These features can significantly enhance productivity and provide a better user experience.
Migration Paths: What Are Your Options?
Now that you understand the implications of the end of extended support for Office 2013, it's time to consider your migration paths. Microsoft offers several options to help you upgrade to a more secure and feature-rich environment.
One of the most popular options is to migrate to Office 365. Office 365 provides the latest version of Office, along with a host of cloud-based services, including email, file storage, and collaboration tools. It also offers flexible licensing options, allowing you to pay for only the services you need, when you need them.
Migrating to Office 365
Migrating to Office 365 can provide several benefits, including improved security, better collaboration features, and access to the latest Office applications. However, it's important to note that migration can be a complex process, especially for larger organizations. You'll need to plan your migration carefully, ensuring that you have a solid backup strategy in place and that your users are properly trained on the new system.
Microsoft provides several tools to help with the migration process, including the Office 365 Migration Center and the FastTrack program. These tools can help you plan your migration, move your data, and deploy Office 365 in your organization. Additionally, many third-party vendors offer migration services to help streamline the process.
Upgrading to a Perpetual License
If you prefer to stick with a traditional, on-premises version of Office, you can upgrade to a perpetual license, such as Office 2019. Office 2019 provides the latest version of Office, along with five years of mainstream support and five years of extended support. However, it doesn't include the cloud-based services and collaboration features of Office 365.
Upgrading to a perpetual license can be a good option if you prefer to keep your software on-premises, but it's important to note that you'll still need to plan for a future migration, as Office 2019 will also reach its end of extended support in 2025.
In the end, the end of extended support for Office 2013 is a reminder that technology is always evolving, and that it's important to stay up-to-date to ensure the best possible security, functionality, and user experience. Whether you choose to migrate to Office 365 or upgrade to a perpetual license, the key is to plan your migration carefully and ensure a smooth transition to a more secure and feature-rich environment.