Office 365 vs Hosted Exchange: Which Is Right for Your Business?
Every business has one main goal: long-term, sustainable growth. Achieving this success requires making the right strategic decisions — and choosing the right cloud solution is one of the most important decisions your company will make.
Understanding Your Business Requirements
Choosing between Office 365 and Hosted Exchange depends on your organization’s specific needs. Businesses building IT infrastructure from scratch will have different requirements compared to established enterprises. Industry regulations such as encryption and email retention policies may also influence the decision.
ActiveSync & Device Compatibility
Cloud solutions allow employees to synchronize email, documents, and data across multiple devices, ensuring access from anywhere.
Both Hosted Exchange and Office 365 offer synchronization. However, Office 365 includes built-in BlackBerry support without additional fees, while Hosted Exchange often charges extra.
Security & Compliance
Security is a top priority for businesses. Office 365 offers strong compliance credentials such as FISMA, HIPAA, ISO 27001, and SSAE 16 certifications. While Hosted Exchange providers may offer secure environments, they typically do not match the full compliance scope of Office 365.
Development & Updates
Hosted Exchange is based on specific Microsoft Exchange Server versions, allowing businesses to control upgrade timing. Office 365, being cloud-based, automatically receives updates, reducing maintenance efforts.
Productivity Tools
Hosted Exchange includes Email, Contacts, and Calendar. Office 365 expands this with OneDrive for Business, Skype for Business, and online Microsoft Office applications.
Which Solution Is Best?
Office 365 offers broader features, stronger compliance, and automatic updates. However, the right solution depends on your company’s needs and operational strategy.
Nevada IT Solutions is ready to help you move from Hosted Exchange to Office 365. Get started here.