Moving on from SharePoint 2013

In April of this year, SharePoint 2013 officially entered End-Of-Life, meaning extended support came to a halt. For organisations still using SharePoint 2013, there are still options available to ensure your solution works as intended for years to come. We list the options for those that are looking to secure their data and continue using SharePoint.

Upgrade
The most straightforward option is to upgrade to a newer version of SharePoint. With SharePoint Online (cloud-based) and SharePoint 2019 (on-prem) you can secure your sensitive data and information while enjoying new benefits, bug fixes, and support for several years. SharePoint 2016 is also available, though mainstream support has ended and extended support will only last until 2026.

Data migration
Plan and execute the migration of your data from SharePoint 2013 to the new version or SharePoint Online. This may involve using migration tools and scripts to ensure a smooth transition.

Rebuild or reconfigure customisations
If you have customisations, workflows, or third-party applications integrated with SharePoint 2013, you may need to rebuild or reconfigure them to work with the new version. Be prepared for potential incompatibilities and changes in the platform.

Training
Ensure that your team is trained and familiar with the new SharePoint environment. There could be changes in the user interface and additional features to learn, so training can help users adapt quickly.

Backup and compliance
Ensure that you have backups of your data before migration. Also, consider compliance requirements and make sure they are met in the new SharePoint environment.

Keep security in mind
As SharePoint 2013 is no longer supported, it’s essential to maintain security by isolating it from the public internet, using firewalls, and applying security best practices to reduce risks until you decide the best course of action.