The core problem is not configuration – it is the underlying architecture:
CRM on-prem still depends on EWS and legacy authentication patterns, while Exchange Online expects modern OAuth-based access.
We solved this by replacing the EWS communication layer entirely:
- CRM stays unchanged (standard Exchange Server profile)
- Instead of connecting to Exchange Online directly, it connects to a proxy endpoint
- The proxy handles all communication using modern OAuth (via an Entra ID app with mailbox permissions)
No change in CRM functionality:
- same server-side sync logic
- same tracking, matching, correlation
- no changes for users
This removes the typical issues (401, token errors, certificates, hybrid connector complexity) and makes the setup stable and future-proof.
If you're interested, I can share more details.