For Managed Service Providers (MSPs), staying ahead of the technology curve and ensuring your customers are prepared for critical updates and transitions is important. One significant update on the horizon is the continued end-of-life (EOL) process for Microsoft Exchange Server 2019.
Microsoft’s EOL support
Microsoft announced that it will be offering prolonged support across two phases – mainstream support and extended support. Its mainstream support, which ended on January 9, 2024, encompassed key services that included security updates, bug fixes, and technical support, providing users with a stable and secure environment. However, once that concluded, Exchange Server 2019 entered its extended support phase scheduled to end on October 14, 2025. During this period, Microsoft continues to provide essential security updates to protect against vulnerabilities, while other forms of support have become more limited. This phase will serve as the final transitional period for those continuing to operate in Exchange Server 2019 as they look to upgrade to newer options.
The countdown to October 2025
The looming EOL for Exchange Server 2019 can significantly impact customers in several ways. The interruption of support means that customers will no longer receive essential security updates, patches, or technical support from Microsoft. This leaves systems vulnerable to security breaches, data loss, and compliance issues, as vulnerabilities in the system will no longer be addressed.
For customers that prefer to stay on-premises with Exchange, they will need to upgrade to Exchange Subscription Edition (SE), a subscription-based offering specifically for on-premises setups. It’s important to note that most MSPs typically purchase on-premises servers as a one-time expense. The shift to a subscription model may encourage many to explore other subscription services, such as Microsoft 365.
As an MSP, this transition period is a golden opportunity to enhance your service offerings and reinforce your role as a trusted advisor.
Why your customers should migrate to the cloud now
The time to migrate is now, and this urgency is driven by significant advancements in Microsoft 365, such as Copilot, which is only accessible in the cloud. Staying on outdated servers prevents customers from gaining a competitive advantage from these cutting-edge technologies. Additionally, on-premises servers pose significant security risks (when not kept up-to-date) compared to the comprehensive security Microsoft Cloud offers.
When migrating your customers to Microsoft 365 it is also important to consider how customer data will be protected in the cloud. Data protection is a must, especially as your customers start to leverage more than email by taking advantage of modern collaboration tools like Microsoft Teams and SharePoint. This is where combining migration and data protection ensures a seamless and safe journey to the cloud for your customers.
Streamlined migration & data protection with SkyKick
Migrating to Microsoft 365 can feel like a daunting task, laden with time constraints, risks, and complexities. With SkyKick, partners can leverage migration automation from pre-sales to project completion, making the transition smoother and stress-free. Additionally, SkyKick also offers comprehensive data protection across Microsoft 365 – ensuring your customers’ data is protected and easily recoverable.
To assist Partners in staying ahead, SkyKick offers free Email Migration and 12 months of Backup for Microsoft 365 with the SkyKick Standard Bundle. This bundled approach facilitates a smooth and efficient transition that minimizes downtime and ensures continuous data security through automated backups. By embracing our bundled solution, you can deliver a seamless and safe experience from Exchange 2019 to Microsoft 365.