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When you’re transitioning to Live Exchange, embracing the cloud-based functionality of Office 365, or securely archiving data in PST format, the success of these actions, need planned and executed data migration strategy. This involves ensuring that data remains intact, readily accessible, and free from disruptions, all while avoiding the pitfalls of Exchange Server unavailability." For this reason, in this article, we will be reviewing the top tool in the market and recommended by various MVPs which is Stellar Converter for EDB which is the best companion application for any Exchange Server. Let’s see why.
What does Stellar Converter for EDB do?
With Stellar Converter for EDB, you will be able to open and browse through multiple Exchange Server databases and convert as required. There is no size limit of the database and although the application opens live Exchange Server databases, it can open offline mailbox databases. This means that it can open Exchange Server databases (EDB) without having an Exchange Server installed or running. It can be easily installed on Windows client computers and on Windows Server licenses.
How to Use Stellar Converter for EDB?
Having said that, with the Stellar Converter for EDB, you will be able to granularly export mailboxes to PST and other file formats such as HTML, EML, PDF and MSG. Apart from that you can also migrate exchange mailboxes to Office 365 or export directly to a live Exchange Server.
You can use the application as both a migration tool. This will ensure a smooth transition from an older Exchange Server to a newer version of Exchange Server or a migration to Exchange Online on Office 365.
The migration to a live Exchange Server database or Office 365 features the automatic mailbox matching. This means that when you are exporting directly, the application will automatically match the source with the destination and will allow you to manually modify the selections. It also features parallel exports where simultaneous exports will automatically be processed to increase the performance and ultimately reduce the time of data export. The export also features the priority export where you can prioritize which resources are processed first so that your VIP users can get their information as soon as possible.
Stellar Converter for EDB doesn’t stop at user mailboxes only as it also processed user archives, shared mailboxes, disabled mailboxes, and public folders.
The interface features an Outlook like interface where one would find it easier to get accustomed to and of course utilize to it’s best. The interface has minimal popup windows to eliminate clutter and apart from the in-line search, it features a full HTML preview of the items like emails, contacts, tasks, journal, and calendar entries.
Depending on the size of the mailbox databases, the application will take it’s time to scan the database and structure the data collected, but don’t worry as the initial scan can be saved for future use, so that you don’t have to re-scan each time you open the application.
During the export process, you will get all the information and status of the process in hand. If the application is interrupted in any way don’t worry as the application will be able to continue if restarted.
Overall quality of Stellar Converter for EDB
Stellar Converter for EDB is a highly-rated EDB to PST converter software known for its reliability, comprehensiveness, and ease of use. Microsoft MVPs and IT administrators recommend it, and have a 4.8 out of 5-star rating on Trustpilot. Converting offline or hosted EDB files without dismouting the database can be a lifesaver. It supports parallel processing of mailboxes for faster conversion, making conversion fast, which is especially helpful if you have many mailboxes to convert. This means you can convert even the most extensive EDB file without problems.
It is easy to use, even for the non-technical user. Stellar Converter for EDB supports many features, making it a good choice for Exchange Admins.
Pricing and licensing
The application comes into two options available which are the Corporate and Toolkit. Let’s explore the different options available.
The Corporate license will allow all the feature the application can provide with a 1-year license and 50 mailboxes limit it can process, with the price of $299. The Corporate license is also available with a 500-mailbox limit for the price of $399.
The Toolkit has all the features of the corporate with unlimited mailboxes and there is no limit for price of $699. What makes the Toolkit much better than the Corporate is that it also bundles four more applications which include the below.
- Stellar Repair for Exchange– With this application you will be able to open corrupted databases and you will be able to repair and restore the data.
- Stellar Converter for OST– This will convert any OST file from all versions of Outlook to PST and other file formats.
- Stellar Extract Mailbox from Exchange Backup– With this tool you will be able to extract data from corrupted backups of your Exchange Server and retrieve the data.
- Stellar Password Recovery – You will be able to reset the Windows Server passwords if lost or changed, supporting Windows Server 2012, 2008, 2003 and 2000.
What I like about Stellar Converter for EDB
Stellar Converter for EDB has all the features one would need, and it makes it the best companion any Exchange Server should have for the day-to-day work. The interface is smooth and the corporate license, which is the base license, comes fully patched with features. The compatibility with every version of Exchange Server, Offline and online databases access, even without a running Exchange Server makes the application unique as if anything happens to the operating system of the server or the Exchange Server installation you can rest assured that no data will be lost. With regards to the pricing of the application, after considering the features and what it can do, Stellar Converter for EDB provides a good value for money.
What Could Be Better
Altogether, my experience using Stellar Converter for EDB is good. Still, a more affordable pricing structure or good discount would make it more handy to users.
The free trial version of Stellar Converter for EDB has limited features, such as only scanning & previewing your converted mailbox as PST. Adding more features to the free trial version would allow users to try the software before they buy it.
Conclusion
After careful evaluation with all the features the application offers, Stellar Converter for EDB is the best application with value for money one can have for mailbox extraction, migrations and with the bundle in the toolkit, it offers the best solutions which any Exchange Administrator would need for the day to day along with any issue one would encounter.
