If you’re relying upon Office 2013/16/19 for the daily operation of your organization, the end of Legacy support will have an immediate impact on your organization.  With Microsoft ending support for these products, it means:

• No more security updates or patches

• No technical support from Microsoft

• Increased vulnerability to cyber threats

• Compatibility issues with newer systems and services

In general, operating unsupported software, especially software that your organization is dependent upon for production, will inevitably lead to decreased efficiency and greatly increase the risk of cyberattack.

Legacy Office Suites such as 2016 and 2019 were locally installed and operated independently of the cloud. All files were stored on the user’s device or backed up via third-party services.

Microsoft is clearly shifting away from these standalone versions in favor of cloud-based productivity solutions.

Below are some next steps you will want to consider in adapting to your new Office landscape.

• Determine current Legacy exposure:  How many systems are using legacy office products?

• Consider your upgrade path:  Depending on your budget and organization needs, you can choose between Microsoft Office 365 and Office 2021.  Keep in mind, Office 2021 will sunset and support will no longer be offered after 10/13/2026.

•  Backup your Data:  Ensure you backup and secure all critical documents and templates for safe and easy migration to the new platform you choose.

•  Enhance Security: Ensure your organization maintains a strong security posture during platform transitions, as migrating from legacy systems can introduce inherent cybersecurity risks. Engage qualified professionals to assess and reinforce your security framework.

If you find the transition too daunting or you just have questions surrounding what move might be best for your organization, feel free to reach out to Elite IT Solutions for a free consultation.

No Pressure!  No Gimmicks!  Just local highly training IT professionals looking to help your organization or business navigate the IT challenges your company is facing.