Re: Convincing the boss to move to Exchange

Mike,
Of course our responses are some what slanted ;-)

There are basically 3 players in the business email server: Exchange,
GroupWise, Lotus Notes
I'd venture to say that Exchange is in far more companies than the other two

You're boss is asking for a tool that allows true collaboration between
workers. Exchange is much more than just an email server

The only time involved is the actual setup and configuration. Then there's
no day to day maintenance

You will need an Antivirus/Anti-Spam/Anti-Phishing solution designed for
Exchange
Trend Micros Client/Server/Messaging for SMB 3.6 is Great, typical install
is like 30 minutes. Auto installs to workstations
Exchange SP2 also includes an updated IMF (Intelligent Message Filter)
And if your users carry Windows Mobile 5 (or 6) devices, you can take
advantage of direct push technology for email directly to these devices,
including calendar and contact synch

Exchange Server puts you/your organization in control. Pop3/3rdparty
solutions etc, do not

--
Cris Hanna [SBS-MVP]
-------------------------------------------------
Microsoft MVPs
Independent Experts (MVPs do not work for MS)
Real World Answers
---------------------------------------------------------
Please do not contact me directly regarding issues

"Mike" <Mike@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:1395A566-C44C-417E-B1A4-5C00C1CF6870@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Merv,

Thanks for the response. My responses below.

Mike


"Merv Porter [SBS-MVP]" wrote:

Actually you're "small organization" isn't really that small and fits
perfectly into the Small Business Server arena (including the use of
Exchange 2003).

I guess that all depends on your definition of small. I used to work for
a
company with 12,000 employees, and I had a team of 5 IT workers supporting
about 600 people.

Now, I'm the only IT guy working for a 35 person non-profit. It's small
compared to where I was, but I would agree, it's not that small. We are
using SBS 2003 ( as well as 2 other servers) and I have Exchange SP2
installed, but we currently aren't using it.



What 3rd party software are you looking at? (POP3 software?)

I've looked a bit at officecalendar.com and other solutions on slipstick.

Will you be hosting your own mail server or having your mail hosted at a
3rd
party (like you ISP)?

Most questions I have seen answered on this say not to use pop3, but use
SMTP and host your own mail. Most posts I read say that pop3 connectors
are
unreliable. Currently our e-mail is hosted by our ISP, but when you are
traveling you can only access e-mail still on the server, and we don't
have
access to contacts/calendar, etc. We are also having trouble with spam,
and
our ISP doesn't have any spam controls, so I think Exchange will allow me
to
provide something there.

How do you back up your mail (or how will you back it up with your 3rd
party
software)?

Currently our PST files are stored on a network share. I know it's not
supported by MS, but it seems to work fine, and I can backup the network
share to tape. If I use Exchange, I suppose I would buy the backup exec
Exchange option.

What kind of "admin time" fears does he have? (are these based on some
past
bad experience)?

No, no bad experience that I am aware of. It's just that as the only IT
guy, I get stretched pretty thin right now anyway. I take care of all
servers/workstations/remote offices/building maintenance at 3 buildings
(yes,
I have to change light bulbs occasionally), client support, web site, and
other software apps. We also rent office space, conference rooms for
video
conferencing, and I'm involved in all of that. I think it's just a
concern
that if we are hosting our own e-mail, that it might require a few hours a
week to maintain, which I don't really have to spare.
I don't think it would be that much more work, but I'm seeking opinions.



--
Merv Porter [SBS-MVP]
============================

"Mike" <Mike@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:28E4F354-DA27-40F0-A2B8-BDA307575AD4@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Folks,

We are a small organization (35 users) and are using SBS 2003, and I
want
to convince the boss that Exchange is what we should do. He wants
shared
calendaring, but is concerned about the admin time required for
Exchange,
and
has me looking for 3rd party software. I have a meeting with him next
week.
What arguments would you use to move to Exchange? He travels a lot,
and I
have told him he can have access to all of his mail from anywhere, but
he's
not convinced about that. Any advice?

Mike






.

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