Office 365 vs Hosted Exchange which is better for you and your business
There has been some debate as to which is better for a business: Office 365 or Hosted Exchange. In this article, we’re going to highlight some of the key differences so that you can make an informed decision for yourself and your business.
Of course, every business is different, so before you can make a decision you need to better understand your business requirements. These requirements can differ considerably depending on the industry. Once you know what you and your employees need to function properly, you’ll be better positioned to decide what type of software you need to help satisfy these requirements.
Understanding ActiveSync
One of the biggest advantages of using the cloud is that it enables its users to synchronise their email, data, and documentation across a multitude of devices. Today, businesses and employees need to be able to gain access to vital business information no matter where they are – whether in the office or on the road.
When you provide your employees with the ability to work from their workstation, connect with their email via a smartphone, and even arrange various presentations off-site using a tablet device, then you will be creating a highly productive working environment. Fortunately, with ActiveSync technology, this level of access and synchronisation is made easy across many devices.
Most modern Hosted Exchanges are certainly able to offer such a feature, but Office 365 had always been the winner thanks to one specific feature: their BlackBerry support. That said, as BlackBerry is no longer going to be operating as of January 4th 2022, this means that Office 365 and Hosted Exchange more or less tie on this round.
Future Development – Office 365 vs Hosted Exchange
Hosted Exchange was originally built using the 2010 Microsoft Exchange platform, with Microsoft’s newest exchange based productivity giving rise to the latest Office 365. Hosted Exchange didn’t receive any new updates, while office 365 – being cloud-based will always automatically receive regular updates and hotfixes.
Certainly, with Hosted Exchange you can retain more control over the type of upgrades and subsequent changes that you accept. However, the fact that Office 365 is cloud-based means that it receives regular, automatic updates which makes the whole process of managing it seamless. In terms of ease of management, Office 365 wins this round.
As a business owner, you will likely already have your hands full with a thousand-and-one things to worry about. Knowing that the software your business is relying on to function properly will be regularly managed and updated without you having to pay much attention to it is something that can free your mind (and your time) to focus on other important aspects of your business.
Level of Security – Office 365 vs Hosted Exchange
As for security, Office 365 wins hands down. That isn’t to suggest that there are no security features available for the various Hosted Exchanges. However, Office 365 simply boats better functionality and more efficient security features. For example: Office 365 is the only platform that provides users with credentials from following:
- Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA)
- Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
In addition to that, Office 365 offers additional certification beyond the U.S, including:
- SSAE 16 Certified
- EU Model Clauses Capable
- ISA 27001 Certified
- EU Safe Harbor Compliant
Again, Hosted Exchange is secure, but Office 365 takes security to another level. When it comes to keeping your critical business information secure, it’s always worth going that extra mile. If in the event that your business becomes compromised and some would-be hacker gains access to your critical business information, it can jeopardise and undo years of hard work in a single stroke.
Additional Productivity Tools – Office 365 vs Hosted Exchange
Hosted Exchange can provide your business with some excellent productivity tools, such as:
- Contacts
- Calendar
However, Office 365 takes it one step further by offering access to:
- Contacts
- Calendar
- OneDrive for Businesses
- Skype for Businesses
- Online versions of Microsoft Office Software
The more productivity tools you and your employees have access to, the less likely you are to make mistakes or miss important deadlines. It’s handy having a centralised platform that allows a seamless experience with access to multiple high-quality tools.
Affordability – Office 365 vs Hosted Exchange
No, price should not be the main factor to consider when it comes to making the right decision for your business. Although, naturally, saving money where possible is always a bonus for small to medium-sized businesses that are looking to grow and expand.
And of course, in many cases going for the cheapest option will often result in your having an inferior product. However, sometimes, you will be fortunate enough to come across a superior product, for less.
Unfortunately, Hosted Exchange can’t really compete with Office 365’s prices. The fact is, Office 365 has very little need for customisation, it functions efficiently, offers greater security and features, whilst being less than half the cost of Hosted Exchange. As such, you can receive a superior product whilst satisfying your business requirements and keeping your costs down to a minimum.
Our conclusion on Office 365 vs Hosted Exchange
While Hosted Exchange has its benefits, all in all Office 365 is the superior product. When it comes to managing your business, these seemingly small decisions can actually have a huge impact on the overall productivity of your business and your employees.
We hope that this article has been helpful for you. Should you have any further questions about Office 365 and how it can be of benefit to your business then please do not hesitate to contact us today. One of our friendly representatives will gladly take you through its various features.
