PST files present several unique challenges when it comes to desktop management. Desktop refresh initiatives should be a relatively straightforward affair – but when PST files exist throughout the enterprise user population, they must be migrated to the new machines. For each user, this means locating the correct ones, temporarily moving to a network share, and copying them back to the new machine. This process is tedious and introduces risk around how best to track and audit this process – what if something is left behind?
Additionally, having PST files in your environment typically means data protection is required – normally in the form of a backup solution which must be maintained. While mailbox and OneDrive data are well-protected in Office 365, protection for PST files must be handled separately. This can be a significant additional cost as well as a drain on technology resources.
Removing official support for PST files is often a tenuous situation as the aging technology is still vital to end-user productivity. The foundation of any successful modernization strategy starts with ensuring PST files remain accessible to end users in transition.
While PST files are an aging technology, they still offer a portable and effective means of storing communications data for end users. As a result, they are often misused, copied, and managed in a way that is burdensome for IT staff. For example, Microsoft strongly discourages using PST files over a network (LAN or WAN), yet this is a very common scenario leading to significant network overhead and data corruption. Typically, the help desk and/or desktop team are responsible for the aftermath – restoring PST files from backup or repairing a corrupt PST file.
A growing remote workforce, which now represents a bigger portion of your user population, will need to access PSTs on the corporate network if they are not stored locally. This means an active VPN connection, additional VPN licensing and bandwidth utilization. Bringing all end-user content into a modern platform ensures transparent access and untethers your workforce.
PST files sprawled throughout regional offices and data centers represent a substantial blind spot when it comes to knowing where sensitive corporate data is stored – they simply cannot be easily managed or retained per corporate record retention policies. As such, PST files represent a major source of potential compliance and data leakage issues. To reduce corporate risk profiles centralizing and controlling end user PST files to solutions like Office 365 is an optimal scenario in any enterprise environment.
An organization can lay a foundation for accountability by retaining records of all email communication. There are two primary methods for archiving...
Electronic discovery or eDiscovery involves the identifying, collecting, and producing of electronically stored information (ESI) in response to a...
With the share of hospital beds that are part of a health system in the US rising from 58% to 81% from 2000 to 2020, the healthcare industry is...
The cloud migration timeline varies based on the following factors:
Corporate growth involves making important decisions and being as strategic as possible when it comes to acquisitions, mergers, and finances. The...
What is data quality, and why does it matter? A simple definition explains that data quality refers to the overall condition of a dataset based on...
One of the most vital elements of modern businesses is technology. It is nearly impossible to survive without a sound IT strategy aligned with your...
Email archiving is a compliance issue in many industries, especially those with rigorous regulatory standards like finance and healthcare. While...
In this guide to eDiscovery, we'll cover the key components of the eDiscovery process, the challenges, and best practices for conducting eDiscovery....