Security Manager at Yarix S.r.l.
Real User
Top 5Leaderboard
Provides seamless integration with other Microsoft products and good graphical interface
Pros and Cons
  • "I find the Outlook client very valuable. It allows me to connect to the Exchange Server and send and receive emails easily. The graphical interface is user-friendly and has a good look and feel."
  • "I would like to see the search capability of the Outlook client improved"

What is our primary use case?

The main use cases are sending and receiving emails, managing calendars, scheduling meetings, and integrating with Microsoft Teams.

What is most valuable?

I find the Outlook client very valuable. It allows me to connect to the Exchange Server and send and receive emails easily. The graphical interface is user-friendly and has a good look and feel. 

Additionally, I appreciate its seamless integration with other Microsoft solutions like Teams and To-Do.

What needs improvement?

I would like to see the search capability of the Outlook client improved. I would like to be able to search emails by date, sender, recipient, or attachment.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using this solution for more the ten years. We use the latest version. It's the cloud version of the Microsoft 365 solution that includes the Exchange Server. So, we use the latest solution provided by Microsoft in their cloud environment.

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Microsoft Exchange
March 2024
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What do I think about the stability of the solution?

I would rate the stability a ten out of ten. 

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

It is quite scalable when it comes to Microsoft products. I would rate the scalability a ten out of ten. 

We all use this solution in our organization. 

How are customer service and support?

We have often contacted customer service and support. It's a widely used product around the world. We often turn to community resources. When we are not able to solve a problem we contact our system integrator.  

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

We switched to Microsoft because Exchange is the most integrated with other Microsoft products.

How was the initial setup?

If you're using Microsoft 365, it's very easy to setup since Microsoft manages most of it. You simply configure your clients to connect to the Microsoft server using your credentials. 

For on-premises solutions, it's a bit more complex as you need to set up and configure servers. You also have to manage roles and permissions, which is not required for the cloud solution.

The setup time can vary. For a small environment, it can take a day or less, especially if you're using a cloud solution like Microsoft 365. However, for larger deployments, there's additional work involved in configuring and optimizing the system.

Many users prefer Microsoft 365 as a cloud solution, which is easy to set up. However, there are still users who opt for on-premises solutions, which require more setup and management. Some are transitioning from on-premises to the cloud for better flexibility and management.

What about the implementation team?

We require a few people for the maintenance of the solution. It's easy to manage. We have one dedicated technician.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

For the cloud version, we have to pay. On-premises versions include some licensing, like Office 365 packages. There are variations.

The pricing is reasonable. It's not too expensive. It's comparable to Google, but Google offers fewer features.

Which other solutions did I evaluate?

We considered Linux-based products and Google products. 

What other advice do I have?

Overall, I would rate the solution a ten out of ten. 

I surely recommend Exchange. The recommendation is to manage the change process correctly, such as the access system, MFA, password change policy, and complex passwords. You should also use Microsoft's email anti-malware solution to resolve issues and avoid phishing campaigns. 

Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
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GeorgeTzifas - PeerSpot reviewer
Chief Operating Officer at Anyrobotics RPA Experts
Real User
Top 5
Provides easy exchange of files, documents, and simple setup
Pros and Cons
  • "The deployment is a plug-and-play process."
  • "I don't have the best impression of customer service and support. It should be faster and more clear, and more human. T"

What is our primary use case?

We use it to share information and collaborate with each other, even when we're working remotely. 

We exchange files and documents, and we also use it to store recordings and other information from meetings with our customers. 

What is most valuable?


What needs improvement?

There are some bad days or hard ways when it's tough to connect with people who don't have MS Teams products. But this is only a hard situation when we need to communicate with people outside MS Teams.

So the connectivity could be improved.

Another area of improvement is the sharing of files, the sharing part of Teams. How I can easily share information files or video files with the colleagues I'm working with? So, this is an area for valuable improvement.

Another area of improvement is support. It should be faster and more clear, and more human.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using this solution for the last five years. We use the latest version.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

I would rate the stability a seven out of ten. There are hard days. 

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

It is very easy to scale. Just add on licensing and keep working the same way.

There are around eight end users in our company. It's suitable for our current level. We're a small company, so it's quite okay.

How are customer service and support?

I don't have the best impression of customer service and support. It should be faster and more clear, and more human. The support team deep dives into thousands of documentation pages, making problem-solving time-consuming without human interaction.

How would you rate customer service and support?

Neutral

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup is very straightforward. It just took a minute. It is very easy. 

What about the implementation team?

The deployment is a plug-and-play process. You simply need to access the administrator platform, set up the configurations easily, and share enrollment links with people. It's a very easy process.

The deployment was done in-house. However, you need an IT-oriented person, an IT manager with knowledge of Microsoft.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

The license can be both monthly or yearly. It is not expensive.

What other advice do I have?

It's a useful tool for remote work and communication. Start slow and educate yourself. Learn about the solution and give it a try.

Overall, I would rate the solution a nine out of ten. 

Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
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Microsoft Exchange
March 2024
Learn what your peers think about Microsoft Exchange. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: March 2024.
765,234 professionals have used our research since 2012.
Lazar Ninkovic - PeerSpot reviewer
IT Cordinator at a pharma/biotech company with 10,001+ employees
Real User
Provides unlimited storage and the integration with OneDrive comes in very handy
Pros and Cons
  • "Provides unlimited storage for our mailbox."
  • "The licensing model could be improved."

What is our primary use case?

We use this product for emails and for meetings. I'm the IT coordinator. 

What is most valuable?

The biggest advantage of this product is that it provides us with unlimited storage for our mailbox. The availability and simplicity of getting emails is great. There's an accessible online version and you have the full Office package available at any moment beyond Outlook. The integration with OneDrive comes in very handy. The Outlook Exchange server becomes your go-to place for storing conversations and correspondence. 

What needs improvement?

The licensing could be better. There are several levels of licensing depending on the number of users and features but it lacks the breakdown of what's included in the license, and the possibility to customize what you really need. There are likely to be features included that you don't need but there's no opt out option for those.  

For how long have I used the solution?

I've been using this solution for 10 years. 

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

Stability has improved tremendously. These days it requires an extraordinary set of circumstances to not be able to access your emails, to send or receive emails, or to access the Exchange server.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

The solution is quite scalable. We have over 1,000 users. 

How are customer service and support?

We've contacted technical support several times and they've been responsive. They're pretty good, in general. 

How would you rate customer service and support?

Positive

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup is straightforward. There's really no problem with the setup of the latest Exchange servers and Exchange in general. We deployed in-house and didn't need any external partner to handle it.

What other advice do I have?

Microsoft provides you with an ease of control, and management, and sets certain expectations from the software that you can't have if you implement other, cheaper solutions that are likely to be more difficult to manage or that are unable to adapt to new demands. It has a really nice scalable environment. You can start with the smallest Windows license and then just continue scaling up and upgrading, without the need to completely change and start over as your organization grows. The backbone is there on Microsoft. 

I like this product and rate it nine out of 10. 

Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
CTO at Numo Capital Holdings
Real User
A highly scalable solution that offers multiple functionalities to its users
Pros and Cons
  • "It is a very stable tool...It is a very scalable tool."
  • "In terms of Microsoft Exchange, I think maybe what can be done is to make it more user-friendly."

What is our primary use case?

We use the solution in our company for emails, calendars, requests, and tasks.

What is most valuable?

The exchange of emails is its most valuable feature.

What needs improvement?

I'm a user for the time being. I'm not an administrator who is managing the server. I was an administrator fifteen years ago. But today, I'm just a simple user using the solution for emails.

We had an antivirus like Sophos to secure our network. In terms of Microsoft Exchange, I think maybe what can be done is to make it more user-friendly. Also, Microsoft should make it more like a web version.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using Microsoft Exchange for a very long time. Currently, we are on the cloud version.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

It is a very stable tool.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

It is a very scalable tool. In my last company, the solution had more than five thousand users. Now, thirty users use the solution. Considering the upcoming year, there are no plans to increase its usage.

How are customer service and support?

I am not seeking any help from technical support because we speak with our own technical staff.

How was the initial setup?

As a user, we don't get involved in the setup process. We need to connect it using the email address. It takes a minute to deploy it. I can do the deployment by myself.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

Since my company is on Microsoft Cloud, we pay for the licenses per user. Compared to volume licensing, I would say the present licensing cost is not expensive.

What other advice do I have?

I recommend others planning to use the solution to use it. I rate the overall solution a ten out of ten.

Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
MohamedAbdallah - PeerSpot reviewer
Head Section of Projects Development at CAPMAS
Real User
Top 20
Good functionality, good integration, and helps make email very accessible
Pros and Cons
  • "The exchange functionalities are good."
  • "I'd like the archiving process to be faster."

What is our primary use case?

We primarily use the solution for email and passing on information between the company's user base.

What is most valuable?

The exchange functionalities are good. It helps ensure information is accessible and can move between people in the company. The exchange of email is very easy.

The integration is very good.

The Microsoft visuals are very helpful. 

We're able to work on SQL servers with no issues. 

What needs improvement?

I can't say there are any missing features. 

I'd like the archiving process to be faster. 

They could offer better performance and enhancements throughout the product. 

For how long have I used the solution?

I've been using Microsoft for 15 years. 

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

The solution is stable and reliable. There are no bugs or glitches, and it doesn't crash or freeze. It is reliable. I'd rate the overall stability eight out of ten. 

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

It is a scalable product. A company would have no issues if it needed to expand. 

The solution is mainly used by all end-users. Everyone in the company has it. That's about 1,500 users.

How are customer service and support?

I have never reached out to technical support.

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

I have never worked with other similar products. 

How was the initial setup?

Others work on the deployment and configuration process. I did not take part in the implementation process. 

I have five colleagues that handle all aspects of Microsoft maintenance, including any needed maintenance for Exchange. One is an admin on Exchange. The others handle other Microsoft products.

What other advice do I have?

I am using the latest version of the solution. 

I'm an end-user. As an end-user, the solution works well to the point I don't really know it's there. My company is a Microsoft customer. 

I'd rate the solution eight out of ten.

Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
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Mahmoud Mawad - PeerSpot reviewer
IT network admin at GASCO
Real User
Top 5Leaderboard
Secure, scalable, and helpful support
Pros and Cons
  • "One of the most valuable features of Microsoft Exchange is its security."
  • "Microsoft Exchange is highly stable. However, after receiving some updates it can be unstable."

What is our primary use case?

We are using Microsoft Exchange mainly for the email system for my company and other companies I work for.

What is most valuable?

One of the most valuable features of Microsoft Exchange is its security.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using Microsoft Exchange for seven years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

Microsoft Exchange is highly stable. However, after receiving some updates it can be unstable. 

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

The scalability of Microsoft Exchange is good but it depends on the license.

We have approximately 4,000 users using the solution.

How are customer service and support?

We had to contact support from Microsoft when there was a critical update that we needed to have which fixed some issues we were having.

I rate the support from Microsoft Exchange a five out of five.

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup of Microsoft Exchange is complex. It contains a lot of components that have to be configured perfectly together. After the installation, it works well. It took us two weeks to migrate from one release to another.

What about the implementation team?

I did the implementation of Microsoft Exchange in my company. We have a team of three people that do the maintenance and support for the solution.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

Microsoft Exchange itself does not require a license, but users who will have mailboxes will require a license. It depends on the number of users to choose which license. If you exceed 2,000 mailboxes, it's preferable to get the enterprise license.

What other advice do I have?

Many people when they upgrade their mailing system choose Microsoft Exchange.

I rate Microsoft Exchange a ten out of ten.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

On-premises
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
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Misba Ishfaq - PeerSpot reviewer
Client Relationship Manager at Capgemini
Real User
Top 10
Reliable, scalable, and easy implementation
Pros and Cons
  • "Microsoft Exchange is stable."
  • "The price of Microsoft Exchange could improve, it is priced high."

What is our primary use case?

I use Microsoft Exchange for their email service for my personal use.

What needs improvement?

The price of Microsoft Exchange could improve, it is priced high.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using Microsoft Exchange for approximately 10 years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

Microsoft Exchange is stable.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

I have found Microsoft Exchange to be scalable.

How are customer service and support?

I have not contacted Microsofts technical support.

How was the initial setup?

The installation of Microsoft Exchange is easy.

What about the implementation team?

Our technical team did the implementation of the solution.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

There is an annual cost to use Microsoft Exchange, and the price could be less expensive.

What other advice do I have?

I would recommend Microsoft Exchange to others.

I rate Microsoft Exchange an eight out of ten.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

Public Cloud
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
Navarda  Elliott - PeerSpot reviewer
Information Technology Manager at Factories Corporation of Jamaica
Real User
Simple to use, reliable, and expands easily
Pros and Cons
  • "The solution can scale well."
  • "In terms of configuring the product, that's definitely an area in which they can make some improvements on."

What is our primary use case?

We primarily use the solution to send and receive emails.

What is most valuable?

In terms of usability, it’s pretty simple.

It’s stable.

The solution can scale well.

What needs improvement?

In terms of configuration, you definitely have to go way in depth. In terms of configuring the product, that's definitely an area in which they can make some improvements on.

The initial setup is complex.

Technical support could be more responsive.

From an on-premise standpoint, we’d like more security. I would definitely want to see some more security than Office 365 has to offer.

For how long have I used the solution?

I’ve used the solution for a couple of years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

We’re able to do what we need to. In that sense, it’s stable and reliable. We haven’t had issues.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

The solution is quite scalable.

We have about 150 people on the solution currently. Everyone is pretty much using it. Right now, we’re just sticking to the basics. I’m not sure if we have plans to increase usage.

How are customer service and support?

Technical support could be improved. It takes you a while to get through to a technician, especially on the Microsoft side. They need to be more responsive.

How would you rate customer service and support?

Positive

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

I have utilized G Suite. The flexibility that Microsoft has to offer, especially when it comes to email, is better. Sometimes you need the ability to be able to make certain configurations and policy changes that Google might not offer.

How was the initial setup?

The solution isn’t exactly straightforward. It’s pretty complex. The configuration can be difficult. It takes a while to set up, and you need to have some advanced knowledge in order to implement it correctly.

Based on who you have that is doing the deployment, it could take up to about three days or even maybe up to a week. However, in terms of a deployment plan, we need to analyze in terms of what we do internally and what outcomes we're actually seeking, and put the project plan in place with some timelines.

Internally, you might need one to two people to handle the initial setup. We had two engineers.

What about the implementation team?

We had assistance from a third party.

What was our ROI?

I don’t have any details in terms of ROI.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

I don’t have any information about how much the licensing is.

Which other solutions did I evaluate?

We didn’t really evaluate other options beyond Microsoft and Google.

What other advice do I have?

I’m an end-user and a customer.

We may not be using the most updated version.

I’d advise potential users to ensure that you do your due diligence. If you're using a third-party contractor, just ensure that they're extremely qualified to actually execute the setup for you. Otherwise, you might run into problems.

I’d rate the solution an eight out of ten. It's stable. It works. Unless you probably go and mess with the configuration, then you won't have any problem. For the most part, it works. It does what it says it's going to do.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

On-premises
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
Buyer's Guide
Download our free Microsoft Exchange Report and get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions.
Updated: March 2024
Buyer's Guide
Download our free Microsoft Exchange Report and get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions.