Exchange smtp relay for Office 365 in non-hybrid mode.

Is there a way to use an on-prem Exchange 2010 server as a mail/smtp relay for Office 365 in a non-hybrid setup? I have a client who is wanting to migrate to Office 365, we are doing thins and its a very straight forward process for us except they have almost 100 appliances that all need to send email, such as printer scan to print, their phone system, and several other things of that type. They do not want a hybrid setup or to deal with the remediation process that's involved to get their system setup for it. What we and they are hoping is that we can use the current exchange server as a relay for these appliances without having to create a user account and buy a license for each. Part of the issue is the client doesnt have the time or IT man power resources to touch all these machines and update them, second is the additional cost for the extra license in O365. Sadly everything I've been able to find requires the appliances have a full user account or the on prem server be in a full hybrid setup. Is this accurate or, hopefully, have I missed something?

LVL 4

Jesse BruffettM&F-ing SorcererAsked: 2018-04-24

Who is Participating?

LVL 47

Vasil Michev (MVP)Commented: 2018-04-25

You can continue to use the Exchange server to send messages even without Hybrid, just remember to adjust the SPF record. And you will probably want to do some cleanup after the migration in order to ensure mail flow will work correctly, such as review the accepted domains, connectors and so on.

In addition, you can simply choose a different method. All of the supported SMTP relay methods do not require Hybrid. Choose the one most suitable for your scenario: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dn554323.aspx

LVL 86

David Johnson, CD, MVPOwnerCommented: 2018-04-24

licenses are required for humans not machines. They do not want a hybrid setup or to deal with the remediation process that's involved to get their system setup for it this is a pay me now or pay me later scenario. It would appear that this company really hasn't thought things through.

Group policy can help.. Perhaps they should remain in a hybrid configuration until they work out the kinks on the transfer from onsite to hosted

LVL 4

Jesse BruffettM&F-ing SorcererAuthor Commented: 2018-04-24

Hybrid on any level isnt an option. The want to do a straight cut-over migration and due to some of the issues we've encountered with their infrastructure we are actually going to be using Bittitan MigrationWiz. Their IT Director is new and inherited a mess and hes trying to get the mission critical services, like email, moved to the cloud. So is there no way to use the on prem server as just a relay and not be in hybrid mode?