--- title: Why You Need to Start Your Cherwell Migration Now description: A critical window where good Cherwell migration planning will determine whether this transition becomes a strategic upgrade or an operational crisis. image: https://blog.servicedynamics.co.nz/hubfs/AI-Generated%20Media/Images/laptops%20migrating%20across%20an%20open%20african%20savanna-2.jpeg --- [![Service Dynamics Logo - White](https://blog.servicedynamics.co.nz/hs-fs/hubfs/Service%20Dynamics%20Logo%20-%20White.png?width=885&height=342&name=Service%20Dynamics%20Logo%20-%20White.png)](https://www.servicedynamics.co.nz) [![Service Dynamics Logo](https://blog.servicedynamics.co.nz/hs-fs/hubfs/Service%20Dynamics%20Logo.jpg?width=885&height=342&name=Service%20Dynamics%20Logo.jpg) Service Dynamics Logo - White](https://www.servicedynamics.co.nz) ![Service Dynamics Logo](https://blog.servicedynamics.co.nz/hubfs/Service%20Dynamics%20Logo.jpg) - [Services](https://www.servicedynamics.co.nz/services) - [Solutions](https://www.servicedynamics.co.nz/solutions) - [IT Service Management](https://www.servicedynamics.co.nz/solutions/it-service-management) - [Enterprise Service Management](https://www.servicedynamics.co.nz/solutions/enterprise-service-management) - [Process Mapping & Automation](https://www.servicedynamics.co.nz/partners/flowingly) - [Discovery & IT Asset Management](https://www.servicedynamics.co.nz/solutions/it-asset-management) - Cherwell Migration - [Cherwell Migration Service](https://www.servicedynamics.co.nz/partners/cherwell-migration-service) - [Cherwell to ServiceNow Migration](https://www.servicedynamics.co.nz/cherwell-servicenow-migration) - [Cherwell to JSM Migration](https://www.servicedynamics.co.nz/cherwell-jsm-migration) - [Cherwell to Ivanti Migration](https://www.servicedynamics.co.nz/cherwell-ivanti-migration) - [Cherwell to HaloITSM Migration](https://www.servicedynamics.co.nz/cherwell-migration-haloitsm) - [Atlassian Managed Services](https://www.servicedynamics.co.nz/atlassian-managed-services) - [ServiceNow Managed Services](https://lp.servicedynamics.co.nz/servicenow-managed-services) - [Partners](https://www.servicedynamics.co.nz/partners) - [ServiceNow](https://www.servicedynamics.co.nz/partners/servicenow) - [ServiceNow ITAM Assessment](https://www.servicedynamics.co.nz/servicenow-itam-assessment) - [Atlassian](https://www.servicedynamics.co.nz/partners/atlassian) - [Atlassian Training](https://lp.servicedynamics.co.nz/atlassian-training-partner) - [Atlassian Service Collection](https://lp.servicedynamics.co.nz/atlassian-service-collection) - [Atlassian Teamwork Collection](https://blog.servicedynamics.co.nz/introducing-atlassians-teamwork-collection) - [Atlassian License Assessment](https://lp.servicedynamics.co.nz/atlassian-license-assesment) - [Atlassian Managed Services](https://www.servicedynamics.co.nz/atlassian-managed-services) - [Academic License Discount](https://www.servicedynamics.co.nz/atlassian-academic-license) - [Non-Profit License Discount](https://www.servicedynamics.co.nz/atlassian-community-license) - [HaloITSM](https://www.servicedynamics.co.nz/partners/haloitsm) - [HaloPSA](https://lp.servicedynamics.co.nz/partners/halopsa) - [Atera](https://lp.servicedynamics.co.nz/partners/atera) - [Atera ROI Guarantee](https://lp.servicedynamics.co.nz/atera-autonomous-it-guarantee) - [Ivanti](https://www.servicedynamics.co.nz/partners/ivanti) - [Cherwell Service Management](https://www.servicedynamics.co.nz/partners/cherwell-service-management) - [Flowingly](https://www.servicedynamics.co.nz/partners/flowingly) - [Checklist Pro](https://lp.servicedynamics.co.nz/partners/checklist-pro) - [Virima](https://www.servicedynamics.co.nz/partners/virima) - [BeyondTrust](https://www.servicedynamics.co.nz/partners/beyondtrust) - Resources - [Resource Hub](https://www.servicedynamics.co.nz/resources) - [Blog](https://blog.servicedynamics.co.nz) - [About Us](https://www.servicedynamics.co.nz/about) [Get in touch](https://www.servicedynamics.co.nz/contact) # Why You Need to Start Your Cherwell Migration Now #### Executive Summary The countdown has officially begun. With the confirmed end-of-life (EOL) date for Cherwell set for **December 2026**, we are now in a critical window where proactive planning and execution will determine whether this transition becomes a strategic upgrade or an operational crisis. As a technology leader responsible for driving resilience, efficiency and innovation, the imperative is clear: **now is the time to act**. ### Ivanti’s Strategic Shift Leaves No Room for Delay Ivanti, the parent company of Cherwell, has publicly committed to refocusing its investment and development efforts away from Cherwell’s Customer Service Management (CSM) capabilities. As the EOL date approaches, this shift will accelerate. That means decreasing support responsiveness, fewer product updates and bug fixes plus diminishing ability to support bespoke use cases or critical business workarounds. The reality is that every day you remain on Cherwell without a reasonable transition timeline - is a step closer to operating on an unsupported and potentially insecure platform. ### Understanding the Cherwell End of Life Announcement [Ivanti's decision to sunset Cherwell Service Management by December 2026](https://blog.servicedynamics.co.nz/cherwell-service-management-csm-end-of-life-faq)represents a definitive shift in their product strategy. This is not merely a version upgrade but a complete platform discontinuation that requires organisations to rethink their service management infrastructure. We're already seeing early indicators of this transition with reduced development resources allocated to the platform and longer response times for complex technical issues. Delaying migration increases the risk of reduced support, fewer product updates, and limited flexibility in handling edge cases or complex transitions.   ### The Hidden Costs of Delay #### Platform Instability and Security Vulnerabilities As Cherwell nears its end-of-life, the platform will receive fewer security patches and functionality updates. This creates a growing window of vulnerability that threat actors can exploit. Recent data shows that systems running on EOL software experience 3.4 times more security incidents than those on current platforms. The rapidly evolving threat landscape makes this particularly concerning. In the past 18 months alone, we've witnessed a 47% increase in attacks specifically targeting service management platforms due to their access to sensitive organisational data and systems. > Recent data shows that systems running on EOL software experience 3.4 times more security incidents than those on current platforms. ### Escalating Support and Hosting Costs Organisations delaying migration will face steadily increasing costs to maintain their Cherwell environment. These costs include such things as: - Premium support contracts increase as standard support options diminish - Higher maintenance fees as the vendor seeks to monetise the remaining customer base - Increasing costs for specialised staff who can support an aging platform - Additional expenditure on third-party security solutions to compensate for missing platform protections ### Lost Modernisation Opportunities Every month spent on a legacy platform represents a missed opportunity to leverage modern ITSM capabilities that could transform your service delivery. The latest generation of modern ITSM solutions offer many benefits, such as: - AI and automation capabilities that reduce ticket resolution times - Self-service portals that decrease reliance on dedicated support teams - Analytics for proactive issue identification and resolution - Integration capabilities that enable seamless workflows across your technology ecosystem The competitive advantage gap widens as organisations that migrate earlier realise these efficiency gains while those that delay remain hampered by their legacy limitations. ### Resource Strain During Compressed Transitions Organisations that delay their migration strategy will find themselves in a compressed, high-pressure transition scenario as the EOL date looms. This creates multiple risks such as: - Increased project costs due to expedited timelines and premium implementation services - Higher error rates and service disruptions during rushed migrations - Limited capacity for proper testing and validation - Minimal time for staff training and adaptation - Reduced leverage in vendor negotiations when under time pressure > The competitive advantage gap widens as organisations that migrate earlier realise these efficiency gains while those that delay remain hampered by their legacy limitations. ## Strategic Benefits of Early Action ### Comprehensive Platform Evaluation Starting your migration process now provides adequate time to [thoroughly evaluate replacement options](https://www.servicedynamics.co.nz/partners/cherwell-migration-service). This includes: - Running proof-of-concept deployments with multiple vendors - Gathering meaningful feedback from users across different departments - Testing integrations with your existing technology stack - Properly assessing vendors' roadmaps and strategic direction - Negotiating favourable terms when vendors know you're conducting a thorough evaluation ### Knowledge Transfer and Training Optimisation A measured migration timeline allows for comprehensive knowledge transfer and proper training implementation: - Documentation of current processes, customisations, and integrations - Identification of improvement opportunities during the transition - Phased training programs that don't overwhelm staff - Creation of internal expertise before the new system becomes mission-critical - Development of accurate ROI measurements to validate the migration's success ### Improve Your Negotiating Position Organisations that begin their migration journey early gain significant leverage. When vendors know you're not under time pressure you have the ability to negotiate more favourable contracts and the opportunity to phase implementation costs across multiple budget cycles. You have the flexibility to select premium support options only where truly needed. ### Developing Your Migration Strategy: Next Steps #### Immediate Actions (Next 30 Days) - Form a cross-functional steering committee including IT, business stakeholders, and executive sponsorship - Begin documenting current pain points and improvement opportunities - Complete a comprehensive inventory of your current CSM implementation, focusing on: - Custom workflows and integrations - Reporting requirements and data retention needs - User populations and their specific requirements - Critical service dependencies - Begin market research on potential replacement platforms #### Short-Term Focus (60-90 Days) - Develop preliminary budget requirements for the migration project - Create an initial RFI (Request for Information) to distribute to potential vendors - Identify internal resource requirements for the migration project #### Medium-Term Strategy (3-6 Months) - Conduct vendor demonstrations and preliminary assessments - Develop a detailed migration timeline and resource allocation plan - Begin 'proof of concept' planning for top-candidate replacement platforms - Create a comprehensive data migration strategy > Organisations that begin their migration journey early gain significant leverage ### Final thoughts The Cherwell EOL announcement may seem distant now, but organisations must start work to mitigate the significant risks of delaying migration. The complexity of modern ITSM environments, combined with increasing security threats and the opportunity cost of missing modern functionality, creates a compelling case for immediate action. By beginning your journey now you gain the flexibility to make strategic decisions rather than tactical ones. Protect your organisation from escalating costs and security risks and ensure your organisation benefits from a smooth, successful Cherwell migration. [Cherwell](https://blog.servicedynamics.co.nz/topic/cherwell), [CSM](https://blog.servicedynamics.co.nz/topic/csm), [Cherwell Migration](https://blog.servicedynamics.co.nz/topic/cherwell-migration) ##### Like it? Share it: [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://blog.servicedynamics.co.nz/the-urgent-need-to-replace-cherwell-service-management-why-acting-now-is-critical-for-business-continuity) [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://blog.servicedynamics.co.nz/the-urgent-need-to-replace-cherwell-service-management-why-acting-now-is-critical-for-business-continuity) ### You may also like [How to Apply Autonomous AI Safely with Atera](https://blog.servicedynamics.co.nz/how-to-apply-ai-safely-in-it-operations-with-atera) ##### [How to Apply Autonomous AI Safely with Atera](https://blog.servicedynamics.co.nz/how-to-apply-ai-safely-in-it-operations-with-atera) 11 May, 2026 As organisations accelerate AI adoption in IT operations, the current challenge is properly understanding where AI auton... 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