They say change is the only constant, and this stands true for the world of Microsoft products as well. If your organization is still using SharePoint 2013 — it’s time to act. With the ‘SharePoint 2013 End of Life’ already passed on April 11, 2023, it’s over a year that you are in the unsupported status with Microsoft, making your business vulnerable to uncertainties. So, if you are using this version, you need to be prepared and have a plan in place.
What does SharePoint 2013 end of life mean for your business? And what would be the best move next? We will cover all of that and more in this article.
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What Does End of Life Mean in SharePoint 2013?
End of life in SharePoint 2013 refers to the date when Microsoft will stop providing technical support, critical updates, and security patches for the product. While the software will continue to function, running an unsupported version poses significant risks to organizations in terms of security vulnerabilities and compliance issues.
When is SharePoint 2013 End of Life?
Microsoft ended support for SharePoint 2013 on April 11, 2023. This date marks the point at which Microsoft will no longer release updates, security patches, or provide technical support for SharePoint 2013. The end of life dates for other versions of SharePoint are listed in the table below.
| Version | End of Life Date |
| SharePoint 2013 – End of Life | April 11, 2023 |
| SharePoint 2016 – End of Life | July 14, 2026 |
| SharePoint 2019 – End of Life | July 14, 2026 |
| SharePoint Server Subscription Edition | In Support |
How SharePoint 2013 End of Life Can Impact Your Business?
With Microsoft ended support for SharePoint 2013, businesses still relying on this version face several risks that can significantly impact their operations and overall security posture. Here are some key areas of concern:
1. Security Risks
After the end of life, SharePoint 2013 will no longer receive regular security updates and patches from Microsoft. This leaves your organization exposed to potential security threats, such as cyber-attacks, data breaches, and malware infections. Without the necessary security fixes, your sensitive data and systems become vulnerable, putting your business at significant risk.
2. Compliance Risks
Many industries have strict compliance regulations regarding data security, privacy, and system updates. By continuing to use an unsupported version of SharePoint, your organization may fail to meet these compliance standards, potentially leading to hefty fines, legal implications, and damage to your reputation.
3. Loss of Data
Without regular updates and support, your SharePoint 2013 environment becomes increasingly susceptible to data loss, corruption, or theft. A security breach or system failure could result in the irretrievable loss of critical business data, causing severe operational disruptions and financial consequences.
4. Loss of Productivity
As SharePoint evolves, newer versions introduce improved features, functionalities, and integrations that enhance productivity and collaboration within teams. By remaining on an outdated platform, your employees may struggle with inefficient workflows, compatibility issues, and limited access to modern collaboration tools, ultimately hindering their productivity.
5. Increased Maintenance Costs
Maintaining an unsupported system can be costly and resource intensive. Without access to official support and updates from Microsoft, your organization may need to invest in third-party solutions or hire specialized consultants to address emerging issues, leading to higher operational costs.
6. Limited Integration and Collaboration
Modern businesses rely heavily on seamless integration and collaboration across various platforms and applications. By staying on an outdated version of SharePoint, you risk losing the ability to integrate with other systems, hindering collaboration, and potentially causing disruptions in your workflows.
What Should You Do Next?
As SharePoint 2013 already passed its end of life, organizations must take proactive steps to mitigate potential risks and ensure business continuity. They should conduct a comprehensive assessment of their current SharePoint environment, including customizations, integrations, and data volume.
Based on this assessment, they should develop a detailed migration strategy aligned with their goals, timelines, and budget. This may involve upgrading to a newer on-premises version like SharePoint 2019 or migrating to a cloud-based solution such as SharePoint Online.
Thorough testing, stakeholder engagement, end-user training, and a well-executed migration plan are crucial to ensure a smooth transition. Organizations should also consider factors like scalability, security, and the need for hybrid scenarios when choosing their upgrade path.
By taking these steps, businesses can successfully migrate from SharePoint 2013 to a supported version, ensuring continued security, compliance, productivity, and minimizing disruptions to their operations.
What are My Options to Upgrade SharePoint 2013?
1. Migrate to SharePoint Server 2016 or 2019
If you plan to keep SharePoint on-premises, you can migrate SharePoint 2013 to SharePoint 2016 or SharePoint 2019. Support for both versions of SharePoint 2016 and SharePoint 2019 will also end on July 14, 2026. SharePoint 2016 and 2019 are good options, but they will be available for the next 2 years, after which you should plan to upgrade. Moreover, in case you were considering SharePoint 2019, you may have to migrate to the 2016 version first before upgrading to 2019, which can be a fairly lengthy process. For more information on its life cycle, please visit the following link:
2. Migrate to SharePoint Subscription Edition
The second-best option is to move from SharePoint 2013 to a subscription edition. This is a better choice because it works with rolling updates, and you don’t have to worry about new versions of SharePoint Server. To upgrade to Subscription Edition, you must first move from SharePoint 2013 to SharePoint 2016 and then to Subscription Edition. That is because there is no straightforward way to move from SharePoint 2013 to Subscription Edition.
3. Migrate to SharePoint Online
This is the recommended option. Migrating to SharePoint Online offers several advantages:
- The ability to integrate with Microsoft 365 applications for enhanced productivity and collaboration.
- The latest, high-level security features to protect your data and comply with industry standards.
- Compatibility with mobile devices, making information accessible on the go.
- Compliance with regulations such as HIPAA and FINMA.
- Easy external collaboration efforts with users outside your organization.
- Ability to create document libraries for enhanced collaboration efforts.
- No separate provision of physical space, resources, and personnel for maintenance.
- More file storage is available than the on-premises versions of SharePoint.
By migrating to SharePoint Online, you can leverage the latest features and capabilities of SharePoint without the hassle of maintaining on-premises infrastructure, ensuring a seamless transition to a modern, cloud-based collaboration platform.
Also Read:
Where Can I Get Help with My SharePoint Migration?
Migrating from an on-premises SharePoint environment to the cloud or a newer version can be a complex and daunting task. It requires careful planning, execution, and expertise to ensure a smooth transition without disrupting your business operations. That’s where NGenious Solutions comes into play.
NGenious Solutions is a leading provider of SharePoint consulting services, offering comprehensive solutions tailored to meet your specific needs. Don’t hesitate to reach out to us for a consultation and let our experienced team guide you through a successful SharePoint migration journey!
Don’t Delay, Reach Out to NGenious Solutions for a Smooth SharePoint Migration!
Conclusion
SharePoint 2013 end of life has already passed, and there lies the need to upgrade to enjoy the latest features, security updates, and more. While there are various alternatives available, moving to SharePoint Online is the best as it will benefit businesses the most because of higher security, lesser maintenance needs, more storage, mobile-friendly interface, the ability to share with external partners, and more.
