Why now is the right time to strategically realign your email infrastructure

In today’s digital world, reliable and secure email communication is the backbone of every business. But the demands on IT infrastructure are changing rapidly. In the area of email in particular, many companies are faced with a decision: Cloud or on-premises?

For those who want or need to continue operating their email infrastructure themselves, Microsoft offers a powerful and future-proof solution with Exchange Server Subscription Edition (SE).

Introduction to Exchange Server Subscription Edition (SE)

Exchange Server Subscription Edition (SE) is the latest version of Microsoft’s popular email platform, offered as a subscription model. Unlike one-time licence purchases, the subscription model provides continuous updates and improvements, which means that businesses always have the latest technology. This edition differs from older versions with an improved security architecture, optimised performance and seamless integration of new features.

Relevance of switching to Exchange Server SE

There are several reasons why it is urgent to switch to Exchange Server SE. Microsoft is gradually discontinuing support for older versions of Exchange. Exchange 2013, 2016 and soon 2019 are reaching the end of their support lifecycle. This not only means that security updates will no longer be available, leaving your IT infrastructure vulnerable to attacks, but also compatibility issues with modern software and hardware. At the same time, not every company can or wants to move its emails completely to the cloud. Compliance regulations, special data protection requirements or simply the desire for full control over your own data are often decisive arguments for keeping your email infrastructure on-premises. SE offers the perfect balance here. In addition, many companies rely on hybrid approaches that use both on-premises Exchange and Microsoft 365. Exchange Server SE is designed to seamlessly enhance this connection and enable flexible coexistence.

Key benefits of Exchange Server SE for businesses

The Subscription Edition offers a number of key benefits that future-proof your email infrastructure:

• Focus on security: In a time of increasing cyber threats, security is paramount. Exchange SE benefits from the latest security features and protocols that protect your organisation from modern threats such as malware, phishing and ransomware. Continuous updates keep you up to date.
• Performance and scalability: The Subscription Edition offers performance optimisations and the ability to flexibly adapt your infrastructure to growing requirements. Whether you have more users, larger mailboxes or more complex workloads, SE grows with you.
• New features and innovations: With SE, you have direct access to the latest features that Microsoft continuously delivers. You no longer have to wait for major version upgrades to benefit from improvements in management, user experience or integrations.
• Compliance and control: SE is ideal for companies with strict compliance requirements or who want maximum control over their data. You retain full control over your infrastructure and configurations.
• Simplified patching and management: The Subscription Edition update model greatly simplifies maintenance. Smaller, more frequent updates reduce risk and effort compared to the complex upgrades of older versions.

Important considerations before switching to Exchange Server SE

Despite the many advantages of Exchange SE, there are some important aspects to consider before switching. The subscription model involves ongoing costs. It is crucial to calculate the licence costs accurately and weigh them against the long-term benefits, such as lower migration costs and improved security. Depending on the age of your existing infrastructure, hardware upgrades may also be necessary to take full advantage of the Subscription Edition. The migration path from your current Exchange version or hybrid setup should be carefully planned. Microsoft provides tools and best practices for this, but thorough planning is essential. Finally, the implementation and maintenance of Exchange Server SE requires specific expertise and training. Ensure that your IT team is suitably qualified or bring in external experts.

Strategic recommendations for implementing Exchange Server SE

Exchange Server Subscription Edition is the logical next step for all organisations that need a secure, powerful and flexible on-premises email platform. This edition offers an ideal combination of the control and customisation of an on-premises installation and the speed of innovation and security benefits of a modern subscription model. Businesses benefit from continuous updates that ensure their email infrastructure remains state-of-the-art and optimally protected against the latest threats. In addition, the Subscription Edition enables seamless integration of new features that improve the user experience and simplify administration. If you are currently using older versions of Exchange or are considering implementing an on-premises email infrastructure, now is the ideal time to actively evaluate Exchange Server SE. By working with your IT service provider or partner, you can make an informed decision that future-proofs your email communications while meeting the specific needs of your organisation.