We’re approaching the one-year anniversary of the release of Exchange Server 2013. This is traditionally the time when people start asking questions like: When is Service Pack 1 coming? ...
Updated Jul 01, 2019
Version 2.0
Blog Post
Everything about Exchange 2013 has screamed "Cloud" since the product was released.
From the Web based admin console with it's low bandwidth two tone blue white colour scheme, reduced graphics, reduced wizards and the removal of the ability to display or copy the invoked PowerShell command, reduced functionality, but it looks and feels the same for on prem (Enterprise) and Cloud (Office 365)
The integration in a hybrid deployment within the EAC is pretty seamless, but the impression I get is that the Enterprise Admin capabilities had to be dumbed down to match those available on offer to Office 365 customers.
It comes over as a branding exercise. Outlook.com, Office 365 and Exchange 2013 all look and feel the same, which is nice.
Nice is missing the point I think, when it comes to the install base of MS Exchange.
I'm like many people, I've been working with Exchange since way back, Version 5 in my case, and Exchange 2013 Admin is a step backwards.
Not everybody is thrilled about the cloud, many are sceptical, a few are die hard opposed. Personally I think it's coming, like it or not, but I'd appreciate more honesty and less spin from Microsoft.
"We're investing in cloud because that's where we see the revenue, so get with the program" would no doubt cause an outcry, but probably no more so that "We're excited to be putting our customers first by investing in Office 365"
We don't all want Office 365.
We want the features and functionality of Exchange 2013 with the Admin capabilities of Exchange 2010 on premises.