The decision regarding how to best architect and deploy a messaging and collaboration platform using Microsoft Exchange is becoming increasingly complex as different methods for how to establish the Exchange platform emerge. Before implementing your Microsoft Exchange system it is important to understand the differences between the various management options. Today, the industry recognizes primarily two different approaches for running and managing Microsoft Exchange Server:

• The on-premise, In-House method whereby the IT department architects, configures, deploys, monitors and manages Exchange all utilizing In-House personnel and systems; and
• The Hosted Exchange service method whereby a cloud service provider creates a multi-tenancy Exchange server farm and offers companies server space to run all Exchange functions thereby allowing the company to connect back to the hosted provider with their In-House Outlook clients.