Microsoft has announced that it will be ending security support for Microsoft® SQL Server® 2014 on July 9th, 2024. If your version of Act! Premium Desktop relies on Microsoft SQL Server 2014, this change could have significant implications.
Key Impacts of End-of-Support
Security Risks
After July 9th, 2024, Microsoft will no longer provide crucial security updates for SQL Server 2014. Running an unsupported version increases your data’s vulnerability to security breaches, data loss, theft and unauthorised access.
Compatibility Issues
Unsupported SQL instances can create compatibility problems with other applications, potentially leading to downtime and negatively impacting business operations.
Lack of Technical Support
Post-end-of-support, there will be no technical assistance from Microsoft to diagnose or resolve issues with SQL Server.
Recommended Actions
To avoid operational disruptions and protect your critical business data, consider the following options:
Upgrade to a Supported Version
Upgrade to a newer version of Act! Premium Desktop, which includes Microsoft SQL Server 2019. This ensures ongoing support and security updates.
Move to Act! Premium Cloud
Consider migrating to Act! Premium Cloud. This cloud-based option ensures that your database remains secure and updated, with no need for on-premise SQL server maintenance. Users may access customer information from anywhere via a web browser or the ‘Act! Companion’ smartphone app.
We offer promotional pricing and upgrade assistance to ease your transition to the cloud hosted version of Act!
Act! Premium Desktop Versions Affected
The following Act! Premium Desktop versions currently run SQL Server 2014:
– Act! v23
– Act! v22
– Act! v21
– Act! v20
– Act! v19
– Act! v18
– Act! v17
Special Notice for Act! v24 and v25 Users
If you are using Act! v24 or v25, do not assume that your database is running Microsoft SQL 2019. Upgrades from earlier versions might not have updated the SQL version, meaning you could still be using SQL 2014.
Act! v24 End of Life
Act! v24 will also become unsupported on August 31st, 2024. While we will continue to support customers with current support contracts, no further security updates will be available post-obsolescence.
Upcoming Release
Act! v26 is expected to be released in July/August. Post-release, only v25 and v26 will be officially supported.
Note that installing Act! v26 on your server/pc will automatically upgrade your SQL Server 2014 Express software to SQL Server 2019 Express.
Subscription Customers
If you have an Act! subscription, you are entitled to the latest release (v25) and Microsoft SQL 2019. Contact us for advice on applying the upgrades.
Act! Premium Cloud Users
Users of Act! Premium Cloud, who access their database via a web browser, are not affected by the end-of-support for SQL Server 2014 or Act! v24.
Need Assistance?
For help with upgrading to a supported SQL version or to understand how the end-of-support might affect you, contact our Act! support line at 0115 840 5075 or email support@solutionscloud.uk. We are here to help ensure a smooth transition and continued protection of your business data.
