As of April 11, 2023, Microsoft will cease supporting Workplace 2013. The choice to finish help for Workplace 2013 ought to come as no shock. Over the previous a number of years, Microsoft has been slowly ending support for its one-time buy merchandise to encourage adoption of subscription-based alternate options. With all that’s altering, IT groups have rather a lot to think about as they resolve proceed.
For a lot of organizations, transitioning to Microsoft 365—the cloud-based productiveness suite that may really feel most acquainted to Workplace 2013 customers—makes essentially the most sense. Nevertheless, no matter which suite firms swap to, migrating to a brand new resolution requires cautious planning and consideration. To tell their resolution, IT leaders ought to determine the alternatives and challenges forward and perceive the very best practices to comply with for profitable migrations.
Advantages of switching to a contemporary productiveness
Although end-of-life transitions might be disruptive for companies and finish customers, the shift will profit some enterprises. Since instruments like Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace are cloud-based, customers get all of the bells and whistles from the newest model of the software program as a substitute of being caught with the options out there from the one-time funding. IT groups that swap to a cloud-based choice received’t should pay for periodic upgrades of bodily software program or miss out on the latest-and-greatest options since they’ll get the newest model mechanically with their subscription.
Past having essentially the most up-to-date instruments at their fingertips, firms will profit from enhanced safety protocols. With Microsoft 365, firms can benefit from the newest options Microsoft gives. As IT leaders know, safety is advanced and probably costly from a value and administration standpoint. Having the ability to leverage Microsoft’s appreciable sources and experience—relatively than managing safety internally—is a major benefit.
Challenges of transitioning from Workplace 2013
Switching to a complete new productiveness suite isn’t with out its potential issues. Software program end-of-life deadlines usually drive firms to make an unplanned transfer as a substitute of a proactive change—which might imply the migration course of is lower than supreme. Enterprises will even have to expend funds to entry Microsoft 365 or one other enterprise productiveness software program. They’ll additionally should steadiness the price of coaching staff on the brand new system and lowered productiveness as employees regulate to the brand new platform.
Regardless of the disruption that comes with transitioning to a brand new productiveness suite, the dangers of continuous to make use of Workplace 2013 past its finish of help are far higher. Utilizing a product that’s not being up to date or supported could look like a great way to keep away from added expense and headache, however it might probably truly trigger larger issues down the road. Going with out software program updates and help means bugs received’t get fastened, which implies potential publicity to safety points. If one thing doesn’t work correctly in Workplace 2013 after help ends, Microsoft received’t be capable to assist.
Given some great benefits of Microsoft 365 and different cloud-based choices, migrating to a brand new productiveness suite is a brilliant long-term funding. However migrations aren’t all the time straightforward or simple. Implementing a change that requires a giant adjustment in the best way folks work might trigger extra resistance and lead to frustration, points finishing duties and lowered adoption charges. Realizing what to anticipate forward of time might help counter these points.
What to anticipate earlier than migrating
First, perceive that transferring from Workplace 2013 to Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace means a shift from a software program buy mannequin to a subscription-based mannequin. A shift in fee method might have an effect on firm money move and funds, so the enterprise could have to flag this for his or her accounting division.
One other vital consideration earlier than starting a migration is how different inside methods will likely be impacted by the transition. Think about if and the way essential plug-ins and important instruments will work with the brand new resolution. For instance, firms that leverage a device like Salesforce will need to know the way the combination will likely be impacted by a brand new device.
Lastly, don’t underestimate the worth of preparation and coaching. Taking the time to arrange for the migration and develop a sensible coaching method is crucial to success. Earlier than getting began, IT leaders ought to search for locations the answer might have issues in the course of the improve, to allow them to handle them prematurely. If wanted, IT groups can put alternate instruments in place that will both change particular functionalities or function an alternate resolution.
As soon as the brand new productiveness suite has been chosen, IT workers can use the next steerage to make sure the migration course of is clean.
Plan forward
Planning is important to seamlessly migrate from one ecosystem to a different, since no two ecosystems are fully similar. Prematurely of the migration, IT professionals ought to achieve a agency understanding of the variations between Workplace 2013 and the brand new resolution. This data will likely be helpful for growing coaching packages and life like, complete migration timelines. It additionally provides IT leaders time to unravel any compatibility points that might come up between the brand new device and present integrations the corporate depends on.
By growing a plan, IT workers can gauge how a lot knowledge must be moved, the place it must be moved and what timeframe it must be moved in. “Finally, firms can depend on the the channel to help finish customers throughout this course of—serving to them to extra precisely plan their knowledge migration, so no issues come up,” stated Lon Clark, world channel gross sales director at BitTitan. “With correct planning and procedures in place, finish customers can mitigate dangers and setbacks that may happen with migrations, serving to to make sure day by day operations don’t get disrupted and permit them the chance to plan for the change forward.”
Pilot with completely different teams
Planning forward additionally permits time to pilot the brand new software program with inside customers to see what hiccups emerge and regulate accordingly. IT leads can conduct pilots with completely different teams throughout the group—equivalent to HR, accounting, gross sales, and many others.—and compile findings to uncover widespread ache factors. Outcomes needs to be shared broadly, in order that persons are conscious of challenges they could encounter and really feel like they’re a part of the method of selecting the brand new resolution.
Predict surprises
If the pilot section reveals that almost all of the corporate just isn’t proud of the brand new suite, IT leaders can take into account an alternate choice. As an illustration, some firms could uncover that shifting to a browser-based resolution merely doesn’t work for the group and impedes staff from being productive. Choosing the proper resolution from the get-go prevents potential roadblocks and can save firms cash in the long term.
Procure the suitable instruments
Migration instruments can function lifelines to make sure the transition is profitable and minimally disruptive for finish customers. The advantage of utilizing a migration resolution is that IT groups received’t have to expend further time and power studying carry out the migration. Migration options are additionally designed by specialists, leaving much less room for error within the course of.
Put together staff
Accessible, company-wide coaching is among the most vital components of a migration. As soon as the corporate has migrated to the brand new resolution, IT groups ought to supply trainings to staff who aren’t aware of it. This can guarantee everyone seems to be on the identical web page and conscious of what’s altering. It additionally creates a deeper understanding of what it means to change platforms and the way workflows could change with the brand new device. Coaching must also embrace sources and ongoing help that staff can use as wanted in the course of the transition.
Laying the groundwork now
With help for Workplace 2013 ending in only a couple months, IT groups can start laying the groundwork to transition to a different productiveness suite. Cloud-based choices supply extra safety and simpler cross-team collaboration, along with giving enterprises entry to the latest-and-greatest model of the platform. Getting ready prematurely and following finest practices will shield firms from widespread challenges that might hinder the success of their migration.
By Frank Suglia, VP of technical providers at BitTitan
