Can we use Windows 10 Phone Companion instead of iCloud for syncing with iOS?

Syncing Outlook 2016 to iOS using iCloud isn't working, as detailed at http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/office/forum/office_2016-outlook/outlook-2016-syncing-contacts-and-calendars-with/ebd457ec-3238-461f-993c-ae0e5feff4cd.  Although this problem may be temporary, such iCloud problems have occurred periodically and Apple seems to have little skill or interest in working with Windows. 

Can Windows 10 users use Phone Companion instead of iCloud for syncing with iOS?

I don't see much Microsoft documentation of what is involved, but an article at http://www.howtogeek.com/224415/how-to-set-up-the-phone-companion-app-in-windows-10-on-android-and-ios/ shows a screen with an option to "Get your email and calendar with Outlook on your phone or tablet". 

I have a few questions:

1. Is there some good guide to using Phone Companion that one can read before using Phone Companion?
2. Does Phone Companion sync calendar items from Outlook 2016, or only from the Windows 10 calendar app?
3. Can Phone Companion sync contacts from Outlook 2016?
4. Can you not sync email if you prefer not to?
5. Does your email need to be IMAP (and not POP) for the calendar and contact syncing to work?

I prefer to look before I leap, and it would be good to know that syncing calendar and contacts should work as desired before trying entrusting such syncing to an enticing Phone Companion wizard.