Windows Server 2016 End of Support

The end of Extended Support for Windows Server 2016 is approaching: Microsoft will officially end this support on January 12, 2027. That may seem far away, but in reality, the time to act is limited — and before you know it, you could lose access to critical security updates for part of your server environment.

Upgrading requires solid preparation: we need to inventory which of your servers are still running Windows Server 2016, determine the best upgrade path, request or reserve budget, and carefully plan the execution. This process takes time and coordination, especially if it turns out that a particular server cannot be upgraded. In such cases, alternative scenarios must be explored — and it may even be necessary to initiate a migration process.

By taking the first steps now, you can prevent time pressure later and ensure your infrastructure remains secure, stable, and future-ready — even after January 12, 2027.

Our team will be happy to work with you to determine the best approach for your organization. Do you have any questions, or would you like to know what this means for your environment? Please contact your Account Executive. Together, we’ll make sure your transition is smooth and worry-free.

Microsoft CSP Services

Collaboration with Arrow for Microsoft Licensing

We would like to inform you about an important change within our Microsoft CSP (Cloud Solution Provider) services. Open Line is entering into a partnership with licensing specialist Arrow to serve you even better when it comes to advising on and providing Microsoft licenses.

What Does This Mean for You?

Our collaboration with Arrow offers several benefits for you as a customer:

• Broader opportunities – Access to a wider range of Microsoft products and services, as well as additional cloud solutions.
• Enhanced support & expertise – Arrow provides us with additional partner resources and expertise, enabling us to advise and support you even more effectively.
• Optimal price-performance ratio – Thanks to economies of scale and greater automation, we can continue to procure efficiently and offer competitive pricing. The transition will have no direct impact on your license costs (subject to Microsoft price changes).

In the future, we will explore ways to offer you more flexibility and insight through the unique Arrow customer portal. This portal will allow you to view your usage via intuitive dashboards and order Microsoft licenses yourself based on the conditions agreed upon with us.

What Do You Need to Do?

To ensure a smooth transition, we will be making an administrative change in both the Microsoft Partner Center and your tenant. In short, this means that we will establish a GDAP relationship for your environment.

This has no impact on your existing services and no negative financial consequences. We also expect no administrative impact. Should any action be required on your part, we will inform you in advance and guide you step by step through the process.

Timeline and Communication

The transition will take place over the coming months and will be discussed with you individually. We will ensure that everything runs smoothly behind the scenes and will keep you informed of any relevant updates.

If you are listed as a Microsoft contact for your tenant, you may receive emails related to this migration. These messages are for information purposes only — no action is required on your part.