Microsoft Office is perhaps the world’s most popular productivity suite, estimated to be running on somewhere in the region of 1 billion devices worldwide.
The oldest versions of the software date back to the mid 90’s and feature the widely known and popular Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, and Microsoft PowerPoint programmes.
Over the last 25 years the suite has developed a range of new features and capabilities and since 2011 the intelligent cloud services offered through Microsoft 365 have ensured the continued popularity of the software for both personal and business usage.
As of next year (11th April 2023 to be exact) Microsoft support will end for Office 2013. This is not a new announcement, and follows 5 years of mainstream support and an additional 5 years of extended support. For those still operating on this system this will mean a number of changes, and is likely to cause disruption for businesses as well as personal Microsoft account holders.
We can help your business to make a seamless switch to Microsoft 365, with no loss of data and minimal disruption to your services. To find out more about our business IT services call us today on 01403 290 321.
What does ‘End of Life’ mean for Microsoft Office 2013?
“When Office 2013 reaches the End of Support security updates will stop. Office apps will continue to work, but you may be exposed to security risks. Upgrading to a supported version is highly recommended.” – Microsoft.
The Microsoft Office suites benefit from regular updates (typically 1 per month) which include bug fixes, new features and security updates. After the end of life date those running Microsoft Office 2013 will still be able to use the software, however there will be no further updates which is likely to result in technical problems and security issues further down the line. These bugs and potential security problems pose the risk of leading to increased periods of downtime, as well as possible breaches of data security and compliance.
What has replaced Microsoft Office 2013?
Those familiar with the Microsoft Office suite will notice that there have been next to no new programme introductions over the last 10 years. However, users of its replacement ‘Microsoft 365’ benefit from premium versions of all of the apps, as well as a huge range of additional services, features and capabilities.
As we identified in ‘Why we use Microsoft 365 for Cloud Services‘, the latest offering of the Microsoft software incorporates:
- All of the latest Microsoft Office applications including Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook
- The latest Microsoft Operating System – Windows 10
- Workplace chat and video conferencing with Microsoft Teams
- 1 TB of OneDrive cloud file storage
- Feature updates and upgrades unavailable anywhere else
Benefits of Microsoft 365
Remote anytime access
Traditional versions of the Office suite required installation on a specific piece of hardware – essentially meaning that they could only be accessed and used on one device, whether that be a laptop or PC.
With Microsoft 365, users are able to connect from a laptop, PC, desktop or mobile device, accessing every programme and feature from anywhere in the world, at any time with the provision of an internet connection.
Office mobile versions ensure that applications are as usable on mobile devices as they are on laptops and computers, and users are able to access office documents and services apps as well as scan pdf files and more in exactly the same way, whilst on the go.
Realtime collaboration with enterprise apps
With more and more businesses choosing to operate using remote or hybrid working models it’s become increasingly important for individuals within those organisations to be able to continue to collaborate without any hindrance. All enterprise apps within the Microsoft 365 suite are linked enabling users to communicate effectively and collaborate in real time – improving productivity and business continuity.
Industry leading security features
For users of Microsoft Office 2013 security updates will end after 11th April 2023. This puts users at significant risk of potential security breaches and subsequent breaches of compliance, which as we know can be highly costly financially as well as devastating in terms of brand reputation and consumer confidence.
Users of Microsoft 365 will benefit from regular security updates, which allow them to:
- Easily enforce data security policies regarding where sensitive information can be saved, as well as restrict those able to access it
- Implement automated retention policies necessary to meet relevant compliance regulations
- Implement a wide range of security features including two-step authentication
- Easily manage threat detection and antivirus / anti-malware services
Regularly and automatically updated
Users of Microsoft 365 will benefit from regular updates ensuring that all services, programmes and features are always running optimally. Because service providers maintain facilities, SaaS services operate with maximum efficiency. For example, since announcing its SLA Microsoft Teams has run at an uptime of 99.99%.
FAQ’s
Is Office 2013 still available?
Yes, Microsoft office 2013 is still available, and will continue to be available after the ‘end of life’ date of 11th April 2023. However, users will no longer benefit from bug fixes, new features and security updates. We recommend upgrading to Microsoft 365.
Can we use Office 2013 for free?
The 2013 version of Microsoft Office will still be available to use if you already have it installed. But if you’re looking to get Office for your home or business, you’ll need to get Microsoft 365.
How much does Microsoft 365 cost?
Microsoft offers a 1 month free trial for their Microsoft 365 software. After the free trial users are able to pay for services on a subscription basis. To find out more about plans and pricing get in touch with one of our friendly experts today by calling 01403 290 321.
What is included in Microsoft 365?
The Microsoft 365 suite includes access to all Office desktop applications plus a range of other powerful features including:
- Word
- PowerPoint
- Excel
- Outlook
- Publisher
- Access for Windows PCs, as well as access to additional OneNote features (features vary) from multiple devices
- Microsoft Teams for online collaboration and meetings
- Powerful enterprise grade Exchange email services with rock solid security
- 1 TB of additional OneDrive cloud storage
Talk to Woodstock
If your business is still using Microsoft Office 2013 it’s time to upgrade. Talk to Woodstock IT today for more information about the switch. You can contact us with your enquiry at [email protected], or simply complete our online contact form and we’ll be in touch.
