Microsoft 365 Sync Tool: Build vs. Buy Conundrum Hits IT Leaders
A new resource has been released to help IT leaders and managed service providers (MSPs) decide whether to build their own Microsoft 365 contact and calendar sync tool or adopt a purpose-built platform. The guide, called 'Buy vs. Build', arrives as Microsoft begins retiring Exchange Web Services (EWS) in stages starting October 1, 2026.
According to Tara Parachuk, Director of Marketing at CiraSync, building a sync tool is possible but comes with significant costs and responsibilities. She notes that teams often underestimate the time and resources required for ongoing maintenance, reliability, and security tradeoffs. 'The real question is what a team is signing up to own once it’s live,' she said.
The guide breaks down five factors that separate a home-grown build from a purchased platform: build cost, ongoing maintenance, customizability, reliability at scale, and security and compliance. It notes that maintaining a home-grown script can run 130 to 260 hours a year in support tickets alone.