Microsoft Exchange is one of the most utilized email server services in the world. The service typically requires additional in-house infrastructure, but many businesses use a cost-saving workaround called hosted Exchange. Read on to learn more about it.
What is Microsoft Exchange?
Microsoft Exchange is a messaging system that provides businesses with email, calendaring, task management, and address lists, among other features. You may access all of these services from virtually any place and on almost any device if you integrate Exchange into your organisation.
Many firms who buy Exchange have it installed on their own servers, which can be costly, especially for small businesses. Furthermore, the server necessary to host it may use space that a company does not have. This is why many businesses prefer to use cloud-based software.
What is hosted Exchange?
To make Exchange available to more businesses, many IT companies like Microsoft now offer hosted Exchange. In this setup, your IT provider allots a space on their servers where they install Microsoft Exchange and make it accessible only to your company over an internet connection.
They’re in charge of making sure the information you save is safe and accessible at all times. Many hosted Exchange providers will also include additional services such as enhanced security, round-the-clock management, and data backup.
To put it another way, hosted Exchange is a cloud-based version of Microsoft Exchange that is maintained by a hosting business or service provider. Exchange will continue to work as if it were hosted at your workplace for you and your workers.
Benefits of Hosted Exchange?
Companies looking to integrate hosted Exchange into their business can enjoy the following benefits:
1. Predictable and lower costs
Like many other hosted services, the majority of hosted Exchange services are offered on a monthly, per-user basis, inclusive of maintenance and hosting. This makes costs predictable, as you’ll be paying a fixed fee every month.
Hosted Exchange also lowers overall costs. If a business were to calculate the cost of purchasing Microsoft Exchange and the infrastructure required to use it, plus maintenance fees, the total and per-user cost will likely add up quickly. For many small businesses, paying a monthly fee will be far less expensive than hosting a Microsoft Exchange solution in house. What’s more, you save money on maintenance overhead and future expenses.
2. Easier Implementation
Implementing Microsoft Exchange in your office would require you to find space for the server. Once you install Exchange on this server, you’ll have to manage it and add new accounts and users. In case the service goes offline, you’ll have to fix it yourself. But with a hosted Exchange solution, your IT partner will take care of hosting, installation, and management, so you can focus on running your business.
3. Flexible Solutions
Growing businesses may find it tough to scale up or down on an in-house Microsoft Exchange solution because of the server’s limited capacity. With hosted Exchange, scaling up or down is as easy as contacting your provider, who can ensure that space and resources are available. They can also help scale your solutions in case you move offices.
