End of Skype for Business Server: rethink your communications strategy
Microsoft is set to end extended support for Skype for Business Server (2015 and 2019) on 14 October 2025. From that point onwards, organisations will need to choose between migrating to a more costly, cloud-based solution or taking the opportunity to adopt a certified, European on-premise alternative.
A strategic and technological turning point
The upcoming end of support for Skype for Business Server marks a pivotal moment for companies and public sector bodies that had opted for an on-premise communications infrastructure, outside the major public cloud ecosystems.
In light of this change, customers are being steered towards Microsoft Teams – a cloud-based solution described by Microsoft as the “simplest alternative” – but one that is far from the most secure. This transition introduces both technological and legal dependency on cloud infrastructure governed by US legislation.
For those seeking to retain a Microsoft on-premise solution, the shift now presents a real strategic and operational challenge. Significant migration costs, licensing changes, and limited technical support make this option increasingly complex and difficult to sustain economically.
However, other viable alternatives do exist.
Switching tools without compromising your standards
A rapid move to Microsoft Teams might seem like the natural choice. However, this transition entails a number of risks:
- Data hosted on US-based cloud services, subject to the Cloud Act (allowing US authorities to access user data under certain conditions),
- Complicated access governance and auditability,
- Unpredictable feature changes,
- Reduced technical independence.
For organisations required to comply with regulations like NIS 2 or DORA – or those looking to bolster their digital sovereignty – migrating to Teams may raise more concerns than it resolves.
Deploying a new, on-premise communications platform that aligns with your organisation’s requirements in terms of security, sovereignty, and compliance could be the better route.
Why Stick With an On-Premise Communications Model?
Maintaining an on-premise solution addresses fundamental organisational needs – beyond just technical architecture. Key advantages include:
- A bespoke setup tailored to your IT infrastructure and internal requirements,
- Complete control over data, ensuring full GDPR compliance: local hosting, oversight of data flows and metadata, managed retention of content and access logs,
- Strengthened security through system isolation – particularly valuable in sensitive or classified environments (e.g., defence, industry, energy, finance),
- Business continuity, even without internet access or during cyber incidents,
- Support for air-gapped and out-of-band communications, enabling secure exchanges even when offline.
Read the article: What Is an On-Premise Video Conferencing Solution?
4 key factors in choosing an alternative
When identifying a suitable replacement for Skype for Business Server, consider these essential criteria:
Secure by Design
Security must be embedded from day one. The architecture should be based on a Secure by Design approach – with no open inbound network ports, proactive vulnerability management, strong authentication, and detailed access control.
A reliable communications platform must also offer end-to-end encryption across all streams: audio, video, messaging, and file sharing.
Technological Sovereignty
The alternative should minimise reliance on foreign technology – especially solutions exposed to extraterritorial laws like the US Cloud Act – particularly for core components.
Opting for a proprietary solution developed by a European company – with R&D, ownership, capital, and support all based within Europe – significantly enhances trust and security. Independence from non-European providers ensures full control over infrastructure.
Regulatory Compliance
The platform must be fully compliant with the GDPR, both in data handling and in activity traceability. It should also support compliance with new EU regulations:
- The NIS 2 Directive on cybersecurity for essential and important entities,
- The DORA Regulation on digital operational resilience in the financial sector.
Deployment and Interoperability
Integration and interoperability must not be overlooked. The chosen solution should connect with existing infrastructure, support standard protocols (e.g., SIP, H.323), and offer APIs or connectors to facilitate integration into your information system.
Straightforward deployment is a major advantage, especially in complex or high-security environments.
Tixeo: a sovereign, secure, and european alternative
Tixeo is a secure video conferencing solution developed in Europe, designed to meet the highest standards of security, digital sovereignty, and regulatory compliance.
It now offers a credible and proven alternative to Skype for Business Server – especially for organisations determined to retain control over their strategic communications.
With fully proprietary technology, CSPN certification from ANSSI, and full on-premise deployment capabilities (via TixeoServer) – including in air-gapped or isolated environments – Tixeo offers:
- Secure by Design architecture,
- End-to-end multipoint encryption,
- Fine-grained access control,
- Interoperability with SIP and H.323 telephony systems,
- Support for GDPR, NIS 2, and DORA compliance,
- Simplified and secure on-premise deployment, with only one open port and no listening ports on workstations.
Tixeo’s on-premise model: meeting your strategic needs
| Your Challenge | Tixeo’s Response |
| End of Skype for Business Server | Smooth migration to a sovereign on-premise solution |
| Avoiding public or extraterritorial cloud | Local or SecNumCloud-certified private cloud hosting |
| Operating in sensitive or offline settings | Air gap compatibility, internet-free operation |
| Protecting high-stakes communications | CSPN-certified end-to-end encryption |
| Ensuring GDPR / NIS 2 / DORA compliance | Full support and regulatory alignment |
| Pursuing technological independence | 100% European-owned solution, with no third-party dependencies |
Trusted by Governments, Defence and Critical Industries
Already adopted by ministries, defence agencies, financial institutions, and critical industries, Tixeo has become the strategic choice for organisations wanting to secure their most sensitive communications – without compromising on sovereignty.
Staying the course in uncertain times
Amid rising geopolitical tensions, escalating cyberthreats, and renewed focus on digital sovereignty, selecting a communications platform is no longer a technical afterthought – and “cloud-only” is no longer the only viable model.
The end of Skype for Business Server support presents a timely opportunity to rethink your communications infrastructure to:
- Strengthen your cybersecurity posture,
- Regain control over your data,
- Ensure long-term digital autonomy.
For over two decades, Tixeo has embodied this vision – offering a sovereign, robust, and trusted solution.