Archive to pst or use ost

[Craig]

We are a small shop running Windows SBS 2003 and use Exchange in Cached mode
as we work off of laptops often out of the office. Is it best practice to
have individual users archive their Outlook data using pst files or is it
best to keep all data in the ost file? Is a hybrid approach best that keeps
calendars, contacts, tasks and notes in the ost file since this data is
collectively small and use pst archive for mail?

My understanding is that pst files help reduce the ost/Exchange sync time
and server load but it is hard to run auto backups as the pst files are often
open. In addition we have a user whom never empties the deleted items folder
and now has a pst file almost 3GB in size – this can’t be good or maybe I am
unnecessarily concerned. Appreciate your thoughts.

 

[neo [mvp outlook]]

Any exchange administrator will tell you that the best place for Outlook
data is on the Exchange server (cached mode/ost). This is because if
anything happens to that laptop, the user isn't up the creek.

As for that user that refuses to empty the deleted items folder, there are
ways around this. (either by using the cleanup wizard on exchange or gpos).
In any event, communicate and educate the user that the "Deleted Items"
folder shouldn't be used as a filing cabinet.