Hosted Exchange FAQs
After 15 successful years of service, Microsoft has announced the end of support for the current version of Hosted Exchange in October 2025. This important milestone means we’ll be retiring the related products on 1st October 2025.
To help you navigate this transition smoothly, we’ve compiled the most common FAQs below. These cover what the change means for you and your customers, which SKUs are affected, and other key details. We also provide a wealth of resources and access to Microsoft materials to ensure you and your customers are fully prepared.
1. What are my options moving forward?
Microsoft offer a range of solutions tailored to your customers’ needs and budgets. Below is a list of the most commonly used SKUs that include Microsoft Exchange Online.
- Exchange Online Plan 1 – £2.78 (RRP £3.26): 50 GB Mailbox, Outlook for the web
- Exchange Online Plan 2 – £5.54 (RRP £6.51): 100 GB Mailbox, Outlook for the web
- Microsoft 365 Business Basic – £4.11 (RRP £4.83): 50 GB Mailbox, Outlook for the web, Office apps (web only), Teams, OneDrive & SharePoint
- Microsoft 365 Business Standard – £8.57 (RRP £10.08): 50 GB Mailbox, Outlook Desktop application, Office apps (desktop versions), Teams, OneDrive & SharePoint
- Microsoft 365 Business Premium – £15.09 (RRP £17.75): 50 GB Mailbox, Email archiving, Outlook Desktop application, Office apps (desktop versions), Teams, OneDrive & SharePoint, Device management, Additional security features
Compare Microsoft plans and discover available add-ons.
Billing: Annual commitment, billed monthly (other options available).
2. How to become a Microsoft 365 reseller and sell through Giacom?
1. Register for a free account:
Visit the registration page here, click ‘Become a partner‘ and provide your organisation’s details. Confirm your company information and validate your credentials.
2. Enrol as a CSP:
Use the following link and follow the on-screen instructions to complete your enrolment:
After enrolling, log out and log back in.
3. Accept a Partner invite from Giacom:
Click the link to accept the invite:
3. How to migrate from Hosted Exchange to Microsoft 365?
There are several supported migration paths to move from Hosted Exchange to Microsoft 365:
PST Export/Import
A manual method involving exporting mailbox data to PST files and importing them into Microsoft 365.
View the guide here
MigrationWiz (Recommended)
A powerful and automated tool that simplifies migration from Hosted Exchange to Microsoft 365.
View the guide here
We recommend using the User Migration Bundle, which includes:
- A single license covering mailbox, archives, and documents (OneDrive)
- Automatic Outlook configuration via DeploymentPro
- Unlimited data transfer
Available via Cloud Market: User Migration Bundle (per user) – £12.55 (RRP £15.54)
4. Do you have replacements for Email Security and Backup?
Yes – we offer solutions from industry-leading vendors for both email security and Microsoft 365 backup:
Microsoft 365 Backup
Reliable backup solutions are available from Acronis and ConnectWise (formerly SkyKick).
Email Security
Microsoft 365 Business Premium includes built-in email security features. For enhanced, layered protection, we also offer solutions from Microsoft, Acronis, Barracuda, Bitdefender and Vade.
5. Do you have replacements for Email Archiving?
Yes – Microsoft offer an add-on ‘Exchange Online Archiving for Exchange Online’ – £2.06 (RRP £2.42). This is included in ‘Exchange Online Plan 2’.
6. I’ve never sold Microsoft 365 before – are training guides available?
Yes! There are plenty of resources to help you get started:
Microsoft Learn: Offers training for all skill levels, from beginner to advanced. Explore courses here: Microsoft Learn – M365 Training
Cloud Market Knowledgebase: Access our extensive library of Microsoft 365 guides and support materials: Microsoft 365 – Cloud Market