On-Premises Exchange Servers and Hybrid deployments
Why Companies choose on Premise Exchange Servers.
Some organisations may initially opt for cheaper Office 365 licences to replace servers, believing it's a cost-effective solution. However, they often discover limitations when under licensed.
Data Control: Some companies value direct control over email data, ensuring security and compliance.
Customization: On-premises Exchange offers flexibility for tailoring email solutions to specific business needs.
Compliance: Strict regulations might require data handling within specific geographic locations, achievable with on-premises Exchange.
Cost Predictability: Predictable long-term costs can appeal to organizations, particularly those with consistent email usage.
Legacy Systems: Some organizations rely on legacy systems closely integrated with on-premises Exchange.
Hybrid Approach: Combining on-premises Exchange with the cloud lets organizations transition gradually.
In summary, while cloud-based email solutions offer scalability, ease of management, and accessibility benefits, on-premises Exchange servers remain a viable choice for organisations that prioritise data control, customisation, compliance, and have unique infrastructure requirements. The decision to use on-premises or cloud-based email depends on a organisation's specific needs, resources, and strategic considerations but unfortunately the Skills gap for exchange is growing.
Bridging the Skills Gap with Expertise and Experience
That's where we come in.
We have run our own hosted Exchange environments, accumulating valuable expertise over time.
High Availability with DAG:
Exchange environments often utilise Database Availability Groups (DAGs) to ensure high availability and redundancy. As Exchange environments grow, the controls for the companies using them can sometimes wither, leading to a DAG nightmare.
Technology Skills Gap:
With the shift towards cloud-based solutions like Office 365, the demand for on-premises Exchange skills has decreased. Finding expertise can be a challenge. That's why companies look to us to regain the advantages of having Exchange experts on tap, especially for organisations with legacy systems and specific email requirements.
Resilience Testing:
Regular testing of resilience and disaster recovery mechanisms is crucial for maintaining a reliable Exchange environment. Organisations often overlook this, but with our experience in this area, they can confidently verify the resilience of their email infrastructure.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while the trend may be moving towards cloud-based solutions like Office 365, there are still compelling reasons for organisations to continue running on-premises Exchange servers. The control, customisation, compliance, and expertise that come with on-premises environments can be invaluable, particularly for organisations with unique email needs or legacy systems. However, it's essential to assess your organisation's specific requirements and capabilities before deciding which email hosting option is the best fit.
Take a look at a recent case study regarding a large 11,000 mailbox deployment which needed our expertise.