The Benefits of Moving to Exchange Online Before End of Support for Exchange Server 2013
The end of support for Exchange Server 2013 is quickly approaching, and the time to transition to Exchange Online is now. By making the switch now, you will avoid the looming risks associated with running an unsupported version of Exchange, while also taking advantage of the numerous updates and features that come with Exchange Online.
Security and Compliance
When running an unsupported version of Exchange, you’re potentially putting your organization in a situation where they may not be able to demonstrate compliance with legal, regulatory and industry requirements. Exchange Online is continually updated with the latest security and compliance features, so you can rest assured your organization is meeting all the necessary requirements.
Data Loss Protection
Data Loss Protection (DLP) is a feature of Exchange Online that helps to protect sensitive information from being shared outside the organization. This can be enabled at the organization or individual mailbox levels and is customizable depending on your organization’s specific requirements.
Ease of Administration
The administration of Exchange Server 2013 can be quite complex, and it can be difficult for IT administrators to keep up with all the latest updates and patches. With Exchange Online, these concerns are taken care of for you, freeing up your IT team to focus on other tasks.
Cost Savings
Making the switch to Exchange Online can result in significant cost savings over running an on-premises Exchange Server. With Exchange Online, there are no upfront costs, and you only pay for the licenses you need. This can result in a much lower total cost of ownership, while also allowing you to scale up or down as needed.
Ease of Use
Exchange Online is designed to be easy to use, with a modern, intuitive user interface. This makes it easier for users to manage their mailboxes and access their data from anywhere, while also providing IT administrators with the ability to more easily manage user accounts.
How to Transition to Exchange Online
Making the transition to Exchange Online can seem daunting, but with the right approach, it doesn’t have to be. The following steps can help you make the transition smoothly:
1. Assess Your Current Environment
The first step is to assess your current environment and determine what needs to be done in order to make the switch. This includes assessing your current hardware and software, as well as any customizations or applications that are running on your current server.
2. Set Up a Test Environment
Once you’ve assessed your current environment, the next step is to set up a test environment to make sure everything is working correctly before making the switch. This can be done either on-premises or in the cloud, depending on your preference.
3. Migrate Data and Users
Once you’ve set up a test environment and verified that everything is working correctly, you can then begin the process of migrating your data and users to Exchange Online. This can be achieved using various tools and scripts, depending on your specific requirements.
4. Configure Security and Compliance
The next step is to configure the security and compliance settings in Exchange Online. This includes setting up DLP policies, configuring mailbox permissions, and configuring any additional security settings.
5. Test and Validate
Once the security and compliance settings have been configured, you should then test and validate the setup to make sure everything is working as expected. This includes testing mail flow, mailbox access, and any other functionality that is important to your organization.
6. Monitor and Maintain
Once everything has been tested and validated, you should then begin to monitor and maintain your Exchange Online environment. This includes monitoring for any potential threats or security issues, as well as regularly patching and updating the environment.
Conclusion
Making the transition from Exchange Server 2013 to Exchange Online can seem daunting, but with the right approach, it doesn’t have to be. By taking the time to assess your current environment, set up a test environment, migrate your data and users, configure security and compliance settings, test and validate the setup, and monitor and maintain the environment, you can ensure a smooth transition to Exchange Online. This will enable your organization to take advantage of the numerous updates and features that come with Exchange Online, while also avoiding the risks associated with running an unsupported version of Exchange.
References:
Exchange Server 2013 End of Support Approaching Fast
