We use base maps throughout our organization that we cache ourselves and use a separate map service to label features. This is essentially how Esri base maps worked pre-vector tile era.
Aside from using the "standard" labeling engine vs Maplex, what are ways we can increase performance? Is there a resource for best practices? Every search yields results related to Esri vector tile customization, which are great but don't meet our needs as an organization.
There are three main options for labeling in traditional basemaps.
2. Maplex
3. Annotation
Have you had a look at Annotation?