Exchange 2013 End of Support is Near – What Now?
Exchange Server 2013 will reach its extended end of support date on the 11th of April 2023. This means Microsoft will no longer provide security updates, patches, and technical support for the platform. Sticking with a service passed its end of support date can present a range of security risks and impact functionality.
If you haven’t already begun your transition away from Exchange Server 2013 to Exchange Online (Microsoft 365) or Exchange 2019, now is the time. The migration involves moving all your mailboxes, public folders, and other data, which is a complex move that requires technical guidance and expertise.
Depending on the size and scale of your organisation, the migration project can be time-consuming and reveal configuration and implementation issues that need to be addressed before the process can be complete.
That’s why it’s essential to start the move sooner rather than later. You don’t want to be stuck with the headache and expense of trying to secure and fix your mailboxes, public folders, and other data with no support.
So, let’s explore what your options are moving forward.
What Are Your Options if You’re Still Running Exchange Server 2013?
Recommended: Migrate to Microsoft 365
The easiest way to retire the Exchange Server 2013 deployment in your business is to migrate to Microsoft 365. This will not only enable you to upgrade your Exchange platform – but it will also give you access to a wider variety of features and benefits. This includes things like:
- Larger mailboxes and Focused Inboxes to streamline your email experience
- Viva insights and advanced analytics to improve productivity
- Security features such as anti-spam and antimalware protection
- Improved compliance capabilities such as Data Loss Prevention and Retention Policies
- Integration with modern apps such as Teams, SharePoint, and Power BI.
Upgrading from Exchange 2013 and on-premises servers to Microsoft 365 can also save you time and money. You won’t have to worry about owning, manually updating and maintaining hardware, spending money on running and cooling servers, and maintaining server storage and software to meet compliance requirements.
You will also never have to worry about upgrading to the newest version of Exchange. This is because, with Microsoft 365, you’re always on the latest version. Security and functionality upgrades are automatic, meaning one less thing to think about.
The planning and process involved in a smooth migration from Exchange Server 2013 to Microsoft 365 can be time-consuming and challenging. For a seamless and stress-free migration, contact an IT partner with specialists in upgrades and Microsoft cloud services who can take care of the process on your behalf.
This also makes it easier to address any issues that might be revealed as you begin to move away from the end of life Exchange 2013 environment.
Can I Still Host My Own Version of Exchange Server?
Although we highly recommend a full Microsoft 365 migration, some organisations will still need to keep some Exchange servers on-premises. This may be due to compliance or regulatory requirements, or simply through lack of time to do so before the April 2023 cut off. Whatever the reason, if this is the case in your business, it’s vital you upgrade your Exchange 2013 to Exchange 2019.
This will allow you to avoid the risks of staying on the end of life Exchange Server, and enable you to use Exchange 2019 to migrate mailboxes and other data Microsoft 365 in the future.
How 848 Can Help
The 848 Group is a Microsoft Solutions Partner with a team of experienced Microsoft Certified experts to help you modernise and optimise your IT infrastructure. We can deliver a smooth migration away from Exchange Server 2013 setting you up in a secure and up-to-date environment built on Microsoft 365.
We’re currently working with a number of clients on Exchange Server 2013 migrations, helping them move to a secure and centralised email collaboration platform that’s easy to use, and simple to manage.
For support on your Exchange upgrade, get in touch with us on 03449 848 848 or email us on [email protected]