But this goes against Microsoft’s DNA & approach which is more client based – hence its offerings & solutions will tend to be client centric with cloud options and that may not be the right long term solution desired by customers.

First, a hosted or cloud-based email service is not mutually exclusive from any particular email client. We have many customers blending Outlook and other robust clients with Google Apps for email services.

Second, the better cloud-based solutions offer features and capabilities that don’t exist or perform poorly in today’s clients. I think of a customer that can search over 700,000 historical emails for the few he needs in under a second.

Finally, Mr. Capossela does discuss value beyond acquistion cost. Absolutely, the low cost headline is not enough. At the same time, businesses must learn to accurately assess the indirect and soft costs for solutions. Backups, high-availility, mobile access, integration, management, and administration all should be costs included in an assessment of any solution.

As always, businesses should define their business requirements, that can then drive the technical requirements, design, and implementation of the most appropriate solution.