From what I understood reading between the lines, you guys are talking about different aspects.
Syncing is always done between the client and the mail provider. In that aspect it is useless to try to sync with your Outlook, which is only an application that manages your mails, calendar and contacts.
In my case, my Outlook has accounts for my work mail (through a dedicated MS Exchange server), my private (through a leased MS Exchange in the U.K.) and Google & Hotmail. The syncing is been done directly at the servers for the exchange accounts, which guarantees a perfect sync between my phone, laptops and desktops at home & office. No clouds involved here, so this is the perfect solution. Downside of having a leased MS Exchange server: the price tag!
Google, Yahoo and Hotmail accounts all go through the Cloud.
If you really want to have a grip on your data, I can only suggest to buy a NAS (i.e. Synology with Mail Server add-on), rent your own domain name, and set up your own mail server. A bit tricky, but worthwhile in the long running
reg's
Jo