We mostly used Exchange for sending emails and for document management. We also used Exchange to get information from a user's profile but we didn't use Exchange for filing.
Owner at a security firm with 1-10 employees
A reliable tool for archiving and organizing a large database
Pros and Cons
- "Now, we manage to serve almost 99% of the information."
- "When we started using Exchange on the cloud, we had a lot of initial problems relating to our main database and we also experienced issues with the accidental deletion of inboxes, amongst other things. In fact, many of the files we had moved to the cloud had disappeared. There also seems to be a problem with the retention of information."
What is our primary use case?
What is most valuable?
Personally, I'd say Outlook is a good feature. We used it for scheduling appointments, for storage and archiving, so we could easily find old mail and documents, even ECF documents. A lot of people like using Outlook as a personal archive.
What needs improvement?
When we started using Exchange on the cloud, we had a lot of initial problems relating to our main database and we also experienced issues with the accidental deletion of inboxes, amongst other things. In fact, many of the files we had moved to the cloud had disappeared. There also seems to be a problem with the retention of information. For example, if you delete something, you may have a problem restoring the entirety of the inbox, so if somebody leaves and you want to backup your data, you need to download it to your local servers. This is a big area for improvement.
For how long have I used the solution?
Currently, we are using Office 365, but we used Exchange for more than 20 years.
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What do I think about the stability of the solution?
As I mentioned earlier, we have a very big database which can lead to some problems. Due to the algorithm, we tend to experience a lot of issues restoring and fixing problems. For example, we would have to retrieve all of the mail from our database and load it into a new database. We only had that problem in the beginning because of the algorithm, not because of Exchange. Now, we manage to serve almost 99% of the information.
How are customer service and support?
We get our support through a third party. We have an Enterprise Agreement with Microsft but we don't receive customer service directly from them. Our third party company receives support from Microsoft, and when we have a problem, we deal with them; however, I've only used them once or twice. Other than that, my own systems engineer solves our problems.
As we had more than 40 users, we had four or five people who handled maintenance.
How was the initial setup?
The initial setup was complex. When we set up Exchange on one server, it was very simple. Keep in mind, you need to be an expert to install the Exchange server because of all of the connections, the TLS-ing, connecting to the internet and ISP; it just wasn't simple at all.
Microsoft may tell you that deployment is as easy as " a click of the mouse", but this is not the case.
If done at the same time, deployment takes roughly five hours. After that, if we are migrating from an older version of Exchange to a newer version, it takes a very long time. In other words, migration takes much, much longer than the initial installation, which takes roughly four to five hours. When it's working, it's very stable; however, this was not the case 15 years ago, but in the last 10 years, it's been okay. When we experience a problem, it is strictly due to the algorithm.
What other advice do I have?
It depends on what the user's needs are. A lot of people can now use Gmail or they can use Exchange on Office 365 with a license, there are a lot more options available nowadays. If you're thinking about installing Exchange on-premise, on behalf of a client, a lot of people have now moved to the cloud, to Azure or something similar. If a client asked me to purchase a 365 license, including the Exchange server, I might decline. If they want to hold meetings or something similar, I'd suggest that they use a professional service like Gmail for businesses. It's a much cheaper option because a lot of people that work with Microsoft office end up buying one or two 365 licenses which include Exchange, so they use it.
Because I have a lot of experience using Exchange, I would rate it between eight and nine out of ten. It's not a perfect ten, but for our purposes, it was perfect.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
On-premises
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: Partner
Project Manager at a transportation company with 51-200 employees
Easy initial setup but lacks online functionality
Pros and Cons
- "The initial setup is quite a straightforward process. I don't think it is a very complicated solution. Plenty of things could be more complex, but the ordinary, general settings are quite simple."
- "In terms of what should be improved, they should probably move to a cloud option like Office 365. We would like to get this functionality without the need to deploy complex hardware and software solutions. This should be the next thing, making Exchange more related to Office products, which are more cloud-oriented, less on-premise or desktop-oriented solutions, like the direction Google is strongly moving towards."
What is our primary use case?
At the moment, our primary use case is mostly for mailing, but in the near future we will be more focused on collaboration, as well.
What is most valuable?
There is nothing special that I like with Exchange. They made a system that works in business. It is quite normal that companies use Exchange.
What needs improvement?
In terms of what should be improved, they should probably move to a cloud option like Office 365. We would like to get this functionality without the need to deploy complex hardware and software solutions. This should be the next thing, making Exchange more related to Office products, which are more cloud-oriented, less on-premise or desktop-oriented solutions, like the direction Google is strongly moving towards.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using Microsoft Exchange for about five years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
In terms of stability, if you are a user or if you have a number of users, especially a big number of users, there will occasionally be some bugs in the product. That is a normal situation.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
In terms of current users, I think we have about 3,000 or 4,000.
They are not dedicated solely to the Exchange. They are also supporting other software technology solutions.
How are customer service and technical support?
My experience with tech support is that they are mostly good enough.
How was the initial setup?
The initial setup is quite a straightforward process. I don't think it is a very complicated solution. Plenty of things could be more complex, but the ordinary, general settings are quite simple.
What other advice do I have?
My personal preference would be a Google solution. It is not a big difference. My advice to anyone considering Microsoft Exchange would be, stay with your product because switching to another product can be costly and a complicated task.
On a scale from 1 to 10, I would rate Microsoft Exchange a 6.
It may be that some nice features are missing.
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.
Buyer's Guide
Microsoft Exchange
January 2025
Learn what your peers think about Microsoft Exchange. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: January 2025.
831,265 professionals have used our research since 2012.
CEO at Enter++
Reliable, old-fashioned communication for non-cloud users
Pros and Cons
- "Microsoft Exchange's most valuable feature is that it's old-fashioned communication, meaning it's good for people who aren't able to work comfortably in a cloud environment."
- "Sometimes we don't get support quickly enough - for example, if there's some global hacker attack, we don't get served as quickly. The skills of the technical staff can also vary, and Microsoft could perhaps improve their training."
What is our primary use case?
I primarily use Microsoft Exchange as a messaging platform.
What is most valuable?
Microsoft Exchange's most valuable feature is that it's old-fashioned communication, meaning it's good for people who aren't able to work comfortably in a cloud environment.
For how long have I used the solution?
I've been using Microsoft Exchange since 1996.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
Microsoft Exchange is very stable - I'm very satisfied with its availability and reliability.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
Microsoft Exchange's scalability is very good, with load balancing and failover switching features.
How are customer service and support?
We use Microsoft Premier Support and are very satisfied with it. However, sometimes we don't get support quickly enough - for example, if there's some global hacker attack, we don't get served as quickly. The skills of the technical staff can also vary, and Microsoft could perhaps improve their training.
How was the initial setup?
The initial setup is really straightforward so long as you meet all the prerequisites. However, in some scenarios, you only have selected privileges and limited control over parts of the installation, which means you may have to ask Microsoft for help if something goes wrong.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
Microsoft's licensing structure is too complex, but its prices are affordable, though not cheap.
What other advice do I have?
I would rate Microsoft Exchange as ten out of ten.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
Hybrid Cloud
If public cloud, private cloud, or hybrid cloud, which cloud provider do you use?
Microsoft Azure
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Principal at Creative Technology and Management Services
It's easy to use and the built-in calendar is helpful
Pros and Cons
- "Exchange is easy to use. It also has a built-in calendar for all the stuff I'm supposed to be looking at and doing. Exchange tells you if you have a doctor's appointment or a scheduled call. It also has a place to store and manage your contacts. If I want to add a new contact, it will put in information about that contact stored anywhere within the Microsoft Suite."
- "They keep making all these changes, and our system was down for four or five days. They finally got it up, but there are still lots of quirks."
How has it helped my organization?
Email is something we constantly use.
What is most valuable?
Exchange is easy to use. It also has a built-in calendar for all the stuff I'm supposed to be looking at and doing. Exchange tells you if you have a doctor's appointment or a scheduled call. It also has a place to store and manage your contacts. If I want to add a new contact, it will put in information about that contact stored anywhere within the Microsoft Suite.
What needs improvement?
They keep making all these changes, and our system was down for four or five days. They finally got it up, but there are still lots of quirks.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
Exchange is about 90 percent stable, but they're working on it. In the next two or three weeks, they should be able to do it. I know what they're going through.
How are customer service and support?
Microsoft has teams in different countries, so they will help you depending on your problem. If you have an issue with something else, they will email you a link that puts you into contact with the team you should talk to. I gave them a lot of issues, and they're working on them. They're saying they will do everything they can to make it work.
The only issue is that the phone connection is sometimes bad because it's a foreign country. It's something you have to live with. You can repeat what they said and ask if you heard them correctly, but they're accommodating.
What other advice do I have?
I rate Microsoft Exchange nine out of 10. My advice for prospective Exchange users is to have an experienced person deploy it and show you how it's done. They should give instructions on how to make it into a server. That's critical. If you set up a server and think that's the end of it, you could go down the wrong alley.
You'll want some help initially, but on the other hand, you definitely want to learn to use the solution yourself. I recommend getting a support contract with someone who knows the solution. There is so much specialization in this world. For example, a veterinarian and a cardiologist are both doctors, but would you see your vet about a heart problem?
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Business Intelligence & Data Management Director at a manufacturing company with 10,001+ employees
Highly stable and scalable
Pros and Cons
- "Microsoft Exchange is highly stable for the end-user systems. When we move to Office 365, it will be even more stable even. There's less administration required and it's very robust. We are really quite happy in using that."
- "Microsoft Exchange could improve by being more secure. We are always looking to have more security."
What is our primary use case?
We are using Microsoft Exchange for collaboration but mainly for email.
What needs improvement?
Microsoft Exchange could improve by being more secure. We are always looking to have more security.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using Microsoft Exchange for approximately 20 years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
Microsoft Exchange is highly stable for the end-user systems. When we move to Office 365, it will be even more stable even. There's less administration required and it's very robust. We are really quite happy in using that.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
The stability can depend on the user's internet speed. If the speed is good then the solution can be scalable.
We have approximately 3,000 to 4,000 users using this solution.
What about the implementation team?
There are two to three people doing the maintenance of the Microsoft Exchange.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
We have had an enterprise license agreement for three years. We are always seeking more value for our money, the price could be reduced.
What other advice do I have?
I would recommend this solution to others.
I rate Microsoft Exchange an eight 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.
Software Engineer at ADM
Useful cloud storage and reliable
Pros and Cons
- "The most valuable feature of Microsoft Exchange is the email storage is on the cloud. We don't have to delete emails often."
- "Microsoft Exchange could improve the archiving of emails and the performance."
What is our primary use case?
Microsoft Exchange can be deployed on-premise and in the cloud.
We are using Microsoft Exchange for general sending and receiving emails in the office to customers.
What is most valuable?
The most valuable feature of Microsoft Exchange is the email storage is on the cloud. We don't have to delete emails often.
What needs improvement?
Microsoft Exchange could improve the archiving of emails and the performance.
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?
Everyone in the company is using Microsoft Exchange.
How are customer service and support?
We have our own technical team for support of Microsoft Exchange.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
We have been using Microsoft Exchange for a long time. Prior to this, we were using a solution called Thunderbird.
What about the implementation team?
Our internal team does the maintenance of Microsoft Exchange, such as managing the group policy.
What other advice do I have?
I recommend this solution to others.
I rate Microsoft Exchange a ten out of ten.
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
IT-Manager / Finanzbuchhaltung / Personalwesen at a manufacturing company with 1-10 employees
Offers stability and easy integration with other Microsoft products, but needs to use less resources and be more reasonably priced
Pros and Cons
- "It's user-friendly."
What is our primary use case?
I use this solution for my email and calendar.
How has it helped my organization?
Because of this solution we have better integration with other Microsoft Office solutions.
What is most valuable?
It's user-friendly.
What needs improvement?
The solution needs a lot of resources to run efficiently. It would be nice if it used less resources to run on-premise.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been working with this solution for about five years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
We have not had any problems with the stability of the solution. I would give it a nine out of ten.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
The solution is scalable. There are about 70 users working with it on a daily basis in our organization.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
Previously, we used Scalix. We switched to Microsoft Exchange for easier integration and better stability.
How was the initial setup?
It was a little bit complex to set up, so we had to get external help.
What about the implementation team?
A third-party did the deployment, and it took about two days.
What was our ROI?
This is a time-saving solution.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
This solution is expensive. On a scale of one to ten, where one is the worst and ten is the best, I would rate it a four.
What other advice do I have?
Overall, I rate this solution as a seven 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.
System Administrator at a financial services firm with 10,001+ employees
A stable and scalable business email and calendaring server that's user-friendly
Pros and Cons
- "It's a very user-friendly application. The mail server is also valuable when compared to other services like SquirrelMail."
- "From a security point of view, Microsoft should enhance the new features. Technical support could also be better."
What is most valuable?
It's a very user-friendly application. The mail server is also valuable when compared to other services like SquirrelMail.
What needs improvement?
From a security point of view, Microsoft should enhance the new features. Technical support could also be better.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been working with Microsoft Exchange for about three or four years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
Exchange is a very good Microsoft product, and it's very stable. It's rare to face issues like mailboxes, but troubleshooting is very easy.
From a security point of view, Microsoft Edge's role is very good. This is because the Edge server is not part of an internal network. If there's a vector attack on Exchange, it will affect only the internal Exchange Edge server and not our private network or DMZ.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
This product is reliable and very scalable. We have almost 5,000 users at the moment.
How are customer service and technical support?
Technical support is average at best. Many times Microsoft engineers took a long time to support us after we logged a case.
What other advice do I have?
Microsoft Exchange is for any company with 400 to 500 people, but a mid-size company can also use this product. It's not very costly for them. The alternative many companies are using is Gmail desktop services with about 100 users. I don't know about the quantity, but many companies are using Gmail as a free service because they don't want to invest in other products like Microsoft Exchange or Microsoft Office 365.
On a scale from one to ten, I would give Microsoft Exchange a nine.
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
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