SharePoint 2013 and Nintex Workflows End Of Life - What's Next?

SharePoint 2013, a trusted platform for collaboration and document management, is unfortunately nearing its End of Life (EOL). As such, Nintex is also ending their support of SharePoint 2013 workflows.

If you’re still on the fence and are hesitant to move away from a familiar environment but don’t really want to lose the support and possibly the Nintex workflow setup you might already have - perhaps it’s time to consider a migration to SharePoint Online, and use Power Automate or WEBCON for workflows instead.

This article provides a comprehensive analysis of why this transition is not only necessary but strategically advantageous, offering more modern features and long-term sustainability for business processes – after all, SharePoint Online is the long game Microsoft is playing, and you have nothing to lose.

The Case for Transition to SharePoint Online

Embracing the Cloud

SharePoint Online is part of Microsoft 365 (formerly Office 365), and it offers cloud-based collaboration and document management, slightly different from what on-premise SharePoint has to offer. While the core functions are the same, your data will just be stored in the cloud where you can leverage its numerous benefits such as accessibility, scalability and cost-efficiency. No more need for the tedious on-premises infrastructure maintenance!

Enhanced Integration and Collaboration

SharePoint Online seamlessly integrates with Microsoft 365 apps and services, facilitating enhanced collaboration and document management. This integration ensures a more cohesive and productive work environment.

As mentioned above, SharePoint Online is a part of Microsoft 365 which lets it seamlessly integrate with Microsoft 365 apps and services, meaning easier collaboration and document management. This is sure to make your work environment more cohesive.

What about my Nintex workflows?

If you’re using Nintex workflows in SharePoint 2013, you could just upgrade to whatever the later version of Nintex version is in SharePoint Online. However, this would be the ideal time to look for a Nintex alternative if you’re unhappy with the service, looking for a change, or simply want something more cost-effective in the long term. Nintex solutions can get quite expensive, and if you’re looking to scale down on that side of things, we can offer a few solutions.

Modern Workflow Automation

Power Automate was designed for use with SharePoint Online, and it offers powerful workflow automation capabilities, including both no-code and low-code solutions. In theory, any user can create, automate, and streamline business processes efficiently – should they decide to get over the learning curve.

Improved Workflow Design

If you want to further expand on your workflow functionality, you may want to have a look at WEBCON. WEBCON is a workflow and forms automation platform with very high levels of customisability, and complements SharePoint Online perfectly by providing tools for designing and managing complex workflows and forms. Like Power Automate, its no-code/low-code approach allows for rapid workflow development and customization.

Scalability and Adaptability

SharePoint Online, Power Automate, and WEBCON altogether are designed to scale with an organisation's growing needs. This makes them very adaptable and ensures that they can accommodate an increasing volume of processes, complex workflows, and future business growth.

SharePoint Online in particular will always have support (at least for the foreseeable future), whereas on-premises SharePoint versions will always eventually be phased out. Microsoft 365 apps are maintained in a similar fashion, and regularly expanded on.

WEBCON also provides ongoing support and regular version updates to bring the users the best possible experience.

SharePoint Migration Strategies

To successfully transition from SharePoint 2013 to SharePoint Online, Power Automate, and WEBCON, organisations should first assess the entirety of their existing SharePoint 2013 setup and any Nintex workflows. A migration is the perfect opportunity for a redesign or introducing any features that may not have been simple to implement in the original system.

Then, plan and execute a smooth transition of data and metadata from SharePoint 2013 to SharePoint Online.

Finally, once all is said and done, provide training to users to ensure they are proficient in using the new platforms.

Migrating SharePoint 2013 Nintex Workflows

Migrating from Nintex Workflows in SharePoint 2013 to WEBCON also requires a strategic evolution in your workflow management strategy. This migration can potentially unlock plenty of advanced features made for enhanced efficiency and adaptability. WEBCON's seamless transition capabilities will ensure you have a smooth migration process, and a progressive shift in how you manage your business processes.

One standout feature of WEBCON lies in its dynamic and very user-friendly form creation. Unlike traditional forms, WEBCON enables the creation of dynamic, rule-driven forms that change according to user inputs. This significantly enhances user experience and reduces complexity and possible confusion. As a result, your team can engage with workflows more intuitively, and you can secure increased productivity. Win-win!

For enterprises looking to manage complex workflows more easily, WEBCON's scalability is a game-changer. As your business grows, WEBCON effortlessly scales to accommodate increased demands, providing a solid foundation for evolving workflows. This ensures that your workflow management solution is not just a tool for the present, but also an investment in future adaptability.

The platform's comprehensive integration capabilities further make WEBCON an excellent workflow management tool option. Seamlessly connecting with various systems and databases, WEBCON ensures that your workflows remain interconnected – be it with SharePoint, SQL Server, Azure or something else entirely. Who doesn’t like a synchronized business environment?

Need an emphasis on compliance for your HR department? That’s another notable strength of WEBCON. For businesses navigating regulatory landscapes, WEBCON offers features that allow for the creation and enforcement of compliance-driven workflows, ensuring that your processes align with industry standards and legal requirements.

From outdated - to the latest technologies

Migrating from SharePoint 2013 to SharePoint Online, while also considering the adoption of Power Automate and WEBCON, is not just a response to SharePoint's EOL; it's a strategic decision to align with your evolving business needs and leverage all that the cloud has to offer.

Adding onto that, migrating from Nintex Workflows in SharePoint 2013 to WEBCON represents a significant upgrade, with features such as dynamic form creation, scalability and integration truly setting it apart.

This transition could be a crucial step in your business journey, and an opportunity to modernize and future-proof your business processes. If you’d like to know more, reach out to our expert consultants for professional advice suitable for your unique needs.