SharePoint Server 2019 End of Life: Planning Your Migration

SharePoint Server 2019's Approaching End-of-Life

Microsoft SharePoint Server 2019 remains a critical workload platform for many organizations. However, like all products, SharePoint Server 2019 has a lifecycle. As this lifecycle nears its end, organizations need to proactively plan their migration. Microsoft's defined end-of-support dates mean the cessation of security updates and technical assistance. This can create serious risks to system security and performance.

This article will detail what the SharePoint Server 2019 lifecycle means for you, the available migration options, and how Fiboo can help you through this process.

Why Migrate?

As SharePoint Server 2019's end-of-support date approaches, the importance of migration increases. Here are the main reasons to migrate:

• Security Risks: End-of-support means security vulnerabilities will no longer be patched, leaving your systems vulnerable to cyberattacks.
• Compliance Issues: Meeting legal regulations and industry standards becomes increasingly difficult.
• Performance and Stability Issues: The lack of updates and fixes can negatively impact system performance and lead to stability problems.
• Missed Innovation: Microsoft 365 and SharePoint Online continuously offer new features and improvements. By not migrating, you miss out on these innovations.

Migration Options: What's Possible?

You have several options when migrating from SharePoint Server 2019. The most common choices are:

• Migration to SharePoint Online: SharePoint Online is a cloud-based solution offered as part of Microsoft 365. This option involves moving your data and applications to the cloud.
• Migration to SharePoint Server Subscription Edition: The most suitable option for those who want to remain on-premises. SharePoint Server Subscription Edition offers continuous updates and new features.
• In-Place Upgrade from SharePoint Server 2019 to SharePoint Server Subscription Edition: You can upgrade your existing SharePoint Server 2019 environment to a newer version using your current hardware and infrastructure. Note that direct upgrade from 2019 to a newer on-prem version is not always possible, and a staged migration might be necessary.

Migrating to SharePoint Online: Step by Step

Migrating to SharePoint Online requires careful planning and execution. Here are the basic steps:

1. Assessment and Planning: Analyze your current environment, define your migration goals, and create a migration plan. This includes auditing content, understanding dependencies, and defining user roles and permissions in the new environment.
2. Data Cleanup and Preparation: Clean up unnecessary and outdated data, organize your data structure, and prepare it for migration. Consider using tools to identify and remove redundant, obsolete, and trivial (ROT) data.
3. Migration Tools and Methods: Use Microsoft's migration tools (SharePoint Migration Tool) or third-party tools to move your data to SharePoint Online. Evaluate different tools based on your specific needs, considering factors such as performance, scalability, and support for custom solutions.
4. Testing and Validation: Conduct comprehensive tests to ensure the migration is successful and verify that the data has been moved correctly. This includes functional testing, performance testing, and user acceptance testing (UAT).
5. User Training and Communication: Provide training and regular communication to help users adapt to the new environment. Develop training materials, conduct workshops, and provide ongoing support to ensure a smooth transition.

Migrating to SharePoint Server Subscription Edition: Step by Step

Migrating to SharePoint Server Subscription Edition allows you to transition to a modern platform while maintaining your on-premises infrastructure. Here are the basic steps:

1. Infrastructure Preparation: Set up new servers or update existing ones. Ensure you meet the requirements of SharePoint Server Subscription Edition. This includes hardware requirements, software prerequisites, and network configurations.
2. Backup: Take a full backup of your existing SharePoint Server 2019 environment. This backup will serve as a safety net in case anything goes wrong during the migration process.
3. Installation and Configuration: Install SharePoint Server Subscription Edition and perform the basic configuration. This includes setting up the farm, configuring service applications, and creating web applications.
4. Data Migration: Migrate your data from the existing environment to the new environment. This can be done using database attach upgrade or third-party migration tools.
5. Testing and Validation: Conduct comprehensive tests to ensure the migration is successful and verify that the data has been moved correctly. This includes functional testing, performance testing, and user acceptance testing (UAT).
6. User Training and Communication: Provide training and regular communication to help users adapt to the new environment. Develop training materials, conduct workshops, and provide ongoing support to ensure a smooth transition.

Key Considerations for Both Migration Paths

Regardless of whether you choose SharePoint Online or SharePoint Server Subscription Edition, keep these points in mind:

• Customizations: Evaluate your existing customizations and determine whether they are compatible with the target environment. You may need to redevelop or replace customizations that are not compatible.
• Third-Party Integrations: Assess your third-party integrations and ensure they will work with the new environment. Contact the vendors of your third-party products to verify compatibility and obtain any necessary updates or patches.
• Governance: Establish a clear governance plan for the new environment. This plan should define roles and responsibilities, policies and procedures, and guidelines for content management and security.
• Security: Implement appropriate security measures to protect your data in the new environment. This includes configuring authentication and authorization, implementing data encryption, and setting up auditing and monitoring.

How Can Fiboo Help You?

Fiboo is a consulting company specializing in Microsoft solutions. We can assist you in the migration process from SharePoint Server 2019 in the following ways:

• Assessment and Planning: We can analyze your current environment and create a customized migration plan. This includes identifying your business requirements, assessing your technical infrastructure, and developing a detailed project plan.
• Migration Execution: We can manage the migration process for you and securely transfer your data. Our experienced consultants will handle all aspects of the migration, from data preparation to cutover.
• Training and Support: We can provide training to your users to help them adapt to the new environment and offer post-migration support services. We offer a range of training options, including instructor-led courses, online tutorials, and on-demand support.
• Customization and Development: We can customize and develop your new environment according to your needs. Our team of developers can create custom solutions to extend the functionality of SharePoint and meet your specific business requirements.

As SharePoint Server 2019's lifecycle ends, it's important not to delay your migration plans. Fiboo is here to help you make the transition as smooth as possible. Contact us to start planning your migration strategy.

Additional Resources

• SharePoint Server 2019 Lifecycle
• SharePoint Migration Tool