Office 2013 support is ending — here’s why your customers should upgrade

Mark it on the calendar: Microsoft Office 2013 support ends on 11 April 2023. While customers can still use Office 2013, this is the perfect time to talk to them about upgrading to a Microsoft 365 subscription.

Without further delay, let’s dive into the details.

What does this mean for Office 2013?

On 11 April, Microsoft will stop supporting Office 2013. That means no more software and security updates, patches, or bug fixes. This will open the door to unwelcome security risks and potential issues with compliance obligations. All of which can cost a lot more than a simple software upgrade.

When one door closes…

Some of your customers might use Office 2013, but they don’t need to worry about preparing for some kind of Y2K-style digital apocalypse. By upgrading to Microsoft 365 via Westcoast Cloud’s Modern Workplace team, customers can stay secure and speedy while making the most of the bells and whistles that Microsoft 365 comes with.

Microsoft 365 can be bundled with plenty of great cloud services including Teams, Exchange Online, and OneDrive for Business – this last one comes with some nifty security features like ransomware detection and file recovery. And because Microsoft 365 is subscription-based, customers can immediately utilise any new features and updates as soon as they’re released. One subscription also lets the customer run Office 365 on up to five devices.

A win-win situation

Some of your customers might feel reluctant about switching to Microsoft 365, so it’s important to make them aware of the risks and how to avoid them. If it’s the prospect of subscribing that is holding them back, it’s worth getting them to consider the cost of a major security breach.

When customers subscribe to Microsoft 365, this gives you a new sale with a stream of recurring revenue. You can even bolster this stream with support services, including Westcoast Cloud’s support offering for partners that buy NCE from us.

So, customers are protected and get lots of new features to play with, and you get a new stream of recurring revenue and opportunities to increase it with multiple support offerings. Nice.

If you need support with encouraging customers to make the move, seek out our Modern Workplace team for a switch to Microsoft 365, contact your Partner Engagement Manager, or email microsoft@westcoastcloud.co.uk.