On October 14, 2025, Microsoft officially ended support for Office 2016 and Office 2019. This means that there will be no new security updates, bug fixes, or technical support for these versions moving forward. For organizations still relying on these legacy suites, this milestone introduces new risks, particularly for those with hybrid or on-premises environments that connect to Microsoft 365 cloud services. Without ongoing updates, older Office apps are more vulnerable to security threats and compatibility issues. The clock has run out, but your path forward doesn’t have to be complicated.
What End of Support Means for Your Organization
If your organization is still using Office 2016 or 2019, here’s what to expect:
- No Security Updates: Unpatched vulnerabilities expose you to potential exploits and data breaches.
- No Technical Support: Microsoft will no longer provide help or fixes for these versions.
- Compatibility Challenges: Legacy apps may lose connectivity to Microsoft 365 services like Exchange Online or OneDrive.
- Compliance Risk: Unsupported software can fall out of compliance with data protection frameworks.
Modernizing your productivity environment isn’t just a technology upgrade; it’s a business continuity imperative.
Your Path Forward: Modern Productivity with Cerium and Microsoft 365
Microsoft recommends moving to Microsoft 365 Apps for enterprise or Office LTSC 2024 for organizations that need a perpetual license. But choosing the right path depends on your environment, budget, and business goals. That’s where Cerium’s expertise comes in.
For more than two decades, Cerium Networks has helped public agencies, school districts, and enterprises modernize their Microsoft environments. As a Microsoft Solutions Partner for Modern Work, we help you plan, migrate, and optimize your transition, enabling you to focus on empowering users rather than managing outdated software.
How Cerium Can Help
As Office reaches end-of-support, organizations face critical decisions about security, productivity, and long-term IT strategy. Cerium is here to simplify that transition. Our comprehensive services are designed to guide you from assessment through adoption, ensuring a smooth migration, empowered users, and a modern workplace built for the future.
- Environment Assessment: We begin by analyzing your current infrastructure, specifically, office versions, licensing, and integrations, to identify compatibility and security risks.
- Migration Planning & Execution: Whether you’re moving to Microsoft 365 Apps, Office LTSC 2024, or a hybrid model, Cerium develops and executes a migration plan aligned with your goals and timeline.
- Licensing Optimization: Cerium helps you navigate Microsoft’s licensing options, ensuring your organization gets the right subscription model and value for every dollar spent.
- User Training: We deliver tailored training programs that equip your workforce with the skills and confidence to use new tools effectively, reducing downtime and boosting productivity.
- Adoption Services: Cerium drives user engagement with strategies that encourage adoption, reduce resistance to change, and maximize ROI from your technology investments.
- Change Management & Communication: We support your transition with structured change management and communication plans that keep stakeholders informed and aligned throughout the process.
- Ongoing Support & Optimization: After migration, Cerium provides managed services, monitoring, and governance guidance to keep your Microsoft environment secure, compliant, and performing at its best.
Why Choose Cerium Instead of Going It Alone
Microsoft’s FastTrack program provides guidance, but it’s not a substitute for hands-on planning, configuration, and execution. Cerium delivers local expertise, personalized migration support, and deep integration knowledge across Microsoft, Cisco, and hybrid cloud platforms. We don’t just help you move; we help you modernize.
Next Steps
If you’re still running Office 2016 or 2019, or are unsure where your organization stands, now is the time to take action. Cerium’s Microsoft specialists can help you assess your current environment, choose the right path forward, and transition smoothly to a secure, modern productivity platform.
Connect with Cerium to start your journey toward a secure, modern Microsoft environment.
