When it comes to a company’s email solutions, there have traditionally been three avenues in which to pursue. Your first option would be POP3 (Post Office Protocol, version 3), the first industry heavy-hitter when it came to email platforms. Secondly, there’s IMAP (Internet Message Access Protocol) – which is now one of the most popular email platforms, today. The obvious downside to IMAP, from a business perspective, is the lack of features beyond email functionality, something which can prove so useful in entrepreneurial settings. Finally, and most recently, came Microsoft Hosted Exchange. This platform is perfect for small businesses and SMEs; it provides an email platform that is truly geared to suiting a business environment. The team here at Impress Solutions, a leading company in IT solutions, compiled a comprehensive list of benefits that Microsoft Hosted Exchange can offer your business, ensuring its continued growth long into the future.
Save Money
As business owners, this is ultimately what every company decision boils down to: ‘Will it make or save me money?’
While POP3 and IMAP don’t have licensing requirements and Microsoft Hosted exchange will require this small outgoing, an on-premises Exchange Server (the sort that many businesses still possess) – is costly. Their installation and maintenance, and their need for regular updating all quickly add up. That’s without even mentioning covering cybersecurity costs on top of that, should you follow the route of on-site servers. Looking at it this way, the prospect of paying a nominal licensing fee doesn’t seem so bad.
With Hosted Exchange, there are fewer unexpected costs. A more predictable monthly billing is vital for small businesses and SMEs, who are much more dependent on cash flow than they are credit. These kinds of businesses can’t afford the sort of hidden costs that on-premise exchange servers potentially pose.
Increased Productivity & Reduced Hassle
Hosted Exchange software massively streamlines your team’s daily processes, thus greatly improving workplace productivity. A normal on-site exchange server requires that your IT team regularly patch the system whereas Microsoft Hosted Exchange includes automatic patching. This keeps your employees’ emails functioning and your IT team’s time spent where it really needs to be. Any maintenance work that does need carrying out, is taken care of by Microsoft’s own certified engineers, rather than your own local ones. The option for users to integrate with Microsoft Outlook also eliminates the need to teach your employees anything new or alien. Instead, they’ll be able to carry on using a familiar, user-friendly interface that melds seamlessly into your business’ operations.
Microsoft Hosted Exchange also comes with an archive system allowing its users to keep their important data in one, convenient place. The cloud-based servers also mean that Microsoft’s email platform is highly accessible from any part of the world. All you need, therefore, is a secure internet connection.
Far Superior Security
In today’s cynical world, businesses face a never-ending bombardment of attacks and threats on their systems and servers. One of the easiest routes for a cybercriminal into a business, is through the metaphorical front door. They stroll right on up to your castle gate, knock, and walk breezily through. They then wreak untold havoc upon your business, causing often irreparable damage. The front door in this instance? Email.
Businesses will be met with countless phishing and spoofing attacks every day through their emails, and these require robust cybersecurity solutions. Microsoft Hosted Exchange offers several key security features, that help render these scamming attacks obsolete. Their anti-spam measures are continually being updated to match the increasing sophistication of email spam threats. Similarly, their anti-malware filters leave your email mailboxes much safer.
A collaborative, holistic and integrated approach to business is the way of the modern world. Incorporating this into your approach to your organisation’s email servers is no exception. So, if you’d like to find out more about our Microsoft Hosted Exchange IT solutions, then get in touch! Contact Impress Solutions today on 01708 759 760.
