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, firms of all sizes depend on Change for seamless inner and exterior communication, typically integrating it deeply with their workflows, compliance insurance policies and safety frameworks.
Nevertheless, Microsoft has formally introduced that help for Change Server 2016 and Change Server 2019 will finish on October 14, 2025. Whereas this will seem to be a distant concern, companies and IT groups should begin getting ready now. The tip of help signifies that Microsoft will not present safety patches, bug fixes or technical help, leaving organizations operating 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 impression of Microsoft’s determination, the dangers of continuous with an unsupported Change setting and the accessible choices to make sure enterprise continuity and safety. If you happen to’re an IT decision-maker or enterprise chief navigating this transition, maintain studying — as a result of ignoring this shift may go away your group susceptible.
What does Microsoft’s finish of help imply for Change 2016 and 2019 customers?
The tip of help for Change 2016 and 2019 is not nearly shedding updates — it is about critical 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 help: After October 14, 2025, Microsoft will not present fixes, patches or help. If one thing breaks, IT groups shall be on their very own — resulting in longer downtimes, expensive troubleshooting and potential enterprise disruptions.
- Compliance dangers: Laws just like the Common Information 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 Working outdated Change variations may result in fines, audits and authorized penalties if a safety incident happens.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 fashionable options, efficiency enhancements and integrations, making communication slower and IT upkeep extra complicated. Retaining Change 2016 or 2019 operating will even value extra over time as help sources dwindle.
Necessary be aware: This finish of help 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 bear in mind
Microsoft follows a two-phase help lifecycle for its merchandise: Mainstream Help and Prolonged Help.
Mainstream Help contains characteristic updates, safety patches and technical help, whereas Prolonged Help focuses solely on essential safety fixes — no new options, bug fixes or complimentary help. As soon as Prolonged Help ends, Microsoft fully stops all updates and help, leaving you with none security web.
What are one of the best choices to maintain your corporation safe and operating 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 one of the best 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 electronic mail resolution. This selection is finest for companies that want to keep up compliance-driven, on-prem infrastructure or favor a hybrid mannequin that integrates with Microsoft 365.
Nevertheless, there are some key issues companies should contemplate earlier than this migration:
- Requires periodic upgrades: Change Server SE would require common updates, which means IT groups should keep on prime of upkeep.
- Licensing and upkeep prices: A subscription mannequin means ongoing prices, and organizations will nonetheless must handle and safe their very own infrastructure.
- Complicated improve path from Change 2016: Microsoft recommends that companies improve to Change 2019 earlier than shifting 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 resolution 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 contains computerized safety updates, menace safety and compliance instruments to fulfill regulatory necessities, similar to GDPR and HIPAA.
- Scalability and accessibility: Staff can securely entry electronic mail from anyplace, 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, bettering productiveness and knowledge administration.
Nevertheless, there are some potential challenges as effectively.
- Migration complexity: Transferring giant quantities of electronic mail knowledge could be time-consuming and requires cautious planning to attenuate downtime.
- Licensing prices: Microsoft 365 operates on a subscription mannequin, which means ongoing per-user licensing charges.
- Consumer adoption and coaching: Staff might have coaching to completely make the most of new options and guarantee a clean transition.
3. Migrate to Google Workspace
For companies on the lookout for an economical, cloud-first different to Microsoft 365, Google Workspace is a powerful contender. It gives seamless collaboration, built-in safety and diminished IT overhead, making it an interesting selection, particularly for organizations that do not require the superior instruments included in lots of Microsoft 365 plans.
Notably, Google Workspace is usually 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 accessible upon request.
A number of the benefits in switching to Google Workspace embody:
- Decrease IT overhead: No Change server upkeep, decreasing {hardware} and operational prices.
- Scalability and suppleness: Google’s cloud infrastructure scales with your corporation 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 could be disruptive, requiring cautious knowledge migration planning.
- Consumer coaching and adoption: Staff accustomed to Outlook and Microsoft apps might have coaching to adapt to Gmail and Google instruments.
- Integration challenges with legacy programs: Companies utilizing on-prem programs, like buyer relationship administration (CRM) or enterprise useful resource planning (ERP), that depend on Change might battle with integration. Configuring Google Workspace Sync for Outlook or utilizing third-party migration instruments might help 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 suitable migration steps is crucial for a clean transition.
Making ready for Change Server SE
For companies staying on-premises with Change Server SE, the improve path relies on your present Change model:
- If you happen to’re operating Change 2016, Microsoft recommends upgrading to Change 2019 now, as direct in-place upgrades to Change SE will not be supported.
- If you happen to’re already on Change 2019, you possibly can merely maintain your servers updated and carry out an in-place improve to Change Server SE as soon as it turns into accessible.
Transitioning to a SaaS setting (Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace)
Migrating to a cloud-based resolution like Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace provides companies larger flexibility, safety and scalability whereas eliminating the burden of server upkeep. Under 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 setting. Determine mailboxes, shared accounts and integrations with third-party instruments like CRM or ERP programs. Select the suitable migration technique and instruments, whether or not shifting 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 electronic mail routing is correctly arrange. Consumer communication and coaching are additionally essential — maintain workers knowledgeable and supply obligatory coaching to attenuate disruption. Lastly, essential knowledge have to be backed up earlier than migration to guard in opposition to any sudden knowledge loss. That is the place a dependable backup resolution can save the day.
Section 2: Migration execution
To keep away from downtime, configure MX information to maintain Change operating as the first mail server through the migration. If shifting 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 carefully through admin instruments.
Section 3: Cutover and post-migration
As soon as the migration is validated, change MX information 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 electronic 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 electronic mail administration to the cloud, but it surely would not get rid of knowledge loss dangers. Beneath the shared accountability mannequin of cloud safety, whereas cloud suppliers safe their infrastructure, prospects are accountable for securing their very own knowledge in opposition to unintentional deletion, cyberthreats and different knowledge loss situations. With out a devoted backup, companies threat shedding essential emails, information and collaboration knowledge with no option to get better them.
That is the place Backupify is available in. As a trusted SaaS backup resolution, 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 unintentional deletions, ransomware assaults or compliance necessities, Backupify gives full knowledge safety, so that you by no means lose entry to essential enterprise info.
Why over 40,000 companies belief Backupify:
- Automated, every day backups: Shield emails, information 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 sure that your knowledge is protected from all types of information 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 associated fee in comparison with different choices.
Do not take dangers along with your business-critical knowledge — view the highest 5 causes IT Professionals select Backupify for Microsoft 365 safety right here.