Microsoft Exchanger Server Help Please

[debbiem]

Hiya

Ok, so I'm not particularly technical and I look after the IT for my small business without support from a specialist.

My current project is that I'd like to be able to share emails between three users, ie. each have access to each others emails. I'm guessing that MS Exchange would be a good way to go based on the responses given to someone elses post on here last year.

I've found the page on the Microsoft website where I can download a trial and where I can sign up for £2.60 per user per month. It all seems very easy and I don't have a problem signing up, downloading and installing software generally.

However, I'm looking at the page where you can download a trial, and this links to system requirements. Looking at the system requirements I'm no longer convinced it's as simple as giving the credit card details and downloading the software, but I'm not technical enough to make my way through the maze of information on there.

Can anyone tell me what I do need to have to run MS Exchange? I have two Windows 7 pc's and a Windows Vista laptop, and if I could get access on iphone and androids this would be good. I store all of our company data on a Buffalo Terastation NAS but I don't think this is relevant.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Debbie

 

[jacobc]

Hi Debbie,

You would need to go to a shared hosted exchange provider and then set up the hosted exchange accounts in Outlook. It would likely cost around £6 / mailbox per month.

Regards,

Jacob

 

[nightmare99]

You are on the right track and the product you are looking at is correct, all you will need to do is make sure the two pcs and the laptop are running Outlook 2007 or newer (2010/2013) and you will need to be able to make dns changes for your company domain (your web/internet address, this will make sure mail flows to your hosted exchange).

 

[nahosting]

Hi Debbie,

The hosted exchange product you are looking at should work fine for you. As nightmare99 mentions you will need outlook 2007 or newer. Go for Office 365 Small Business Premium if you haven't got outlook already and get the latest word/excel etc as well.

We have set up a few of these for customers and they are pretty straight forward.

The only problem I would mention is that the large companies (google, microsoft) can be a bit of a pain to get decent support from.

 

[NetwiseHosting]

Hi Debbie,

Have a word with Mario or Sean at RemoteTechs - they are a member on here (http://www.ukbusinessforums.co.uk/forums/member.php?u=68943) and will offer advice as well as the ability to supply a hosted exchange account if that's what you require. Very friendly bunch and they will answer any questions you may have.
All the best,

Matthew

 

[Paul_Rosser]

I've found the page on the Microsoft website where I can download a trial and where I can sign up for £2.60 per user per month. It all seems very easy and I don't have a problem signing up, downloading and installing software generally.

However, I'm looking at the page where you can download a trial, and this links to system requirements. Looking at the system requirements I'm no longer convinced it's as simple as giving the credit card details and downloading the software, but I'm not technical enough to make my way through the maze of information on there.

Can anyone tell me what I do need to have to run MS Exchange? I have two Windows 7 pc's and a Windows Vista laptop, and if I could get access on iphone and androids this would be good. I store all of our company data on a Buffalo Terastation NAS but I don't think this is relevant.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Debbie

The £2.60 per month is for Microsofts cloud Exchange setup, which all sits on their servers so you don't have to download and install anything.

If you did want a copy of Exchange running locally on your network you would need to buy a server and then either a Windows Server Operating system and a copy of Exchange. Or you could buy SBS (small business server) which comes with exchange, however microsoft are dropping this soon.

If you go with the Microsoft cloud offering you will be able to use Outlook 2007 (or above) on the windows based computers (Some cloud providers will give you a copy of this, otherwise you will have to purchase).

You will be able to access emails on android or iphone using any mail client which supports IMAP, but calendars aren't supported by IMAP so can be a bit harder to get working.

 

[Leo-InstallingIT]

As others have said, Microsoft Exchange would be ideal for this - either the hosted version or in-house (although I would favor the hosted version in your scenario).

The difference between the two is that with the in-house version you would actually run the Exchange server software on a physical server (usually) that you have in your office. you would have to deal with all the maintenance that goes with that.

With the hosted version, basically you subscribe to a service that runs that for you. Whether that be directly by Microsoft or a more local provider. You don't have to worry about up-time, connections, or anything else related to running the server.

The hosted version is almost pay and go, with a couple of steps to get your mail pointed to where it needs to go. This would involve changing the MX records and a couple of other DNS records on your domain. If you go with a more local provider they will usually do this for you.

The standard hosted exchange will usually give you access to your emails through "Outlook Web Access" which is essentially a webmail included in the price. If you already own Microsoft Outlook (the application on your machine) you will be able to connect this up without a problem. If not, most providers will allow you to "rent" the software for about £2 a month - this would be the only thing you would need to install on your machines.

I hope this helps.

 

[RemoteTechs]

Thanks Netwise

Hi Debbie,

We'd be happy to assist you through the maze!

As the others have already mentioned, everything is hosted and configurable from the Microsoft online control panel and is fairly straight forward to maintain, however some people find it a little trickier to get the mail flow working from their existing domain, and that's normally where someone like ourselves jump in!

PM sent with some details.

 

[debbiem]

Great, thanks guys, brilliant responses with lots of useful info.

You've put me straight on what I didn't understand, in that I don't need the Exchange software if I go with the cloud service.

I have Outlook 97 on the pc's/laptop, so I really can pay and go for the cloud, with a few swear words no doubt when I'm setting it up!

I have access to our email server so I should be able to sort out the DNS stuff.

I'll give it a go

Thanks again.

Debbie

 

[Leo-InstallingIT]

Just to let you know, you will have an issue with Outlook 97 as the way Outlook connects to hosted Exchange is only available in 2003 plus.

Although you could still use outlook web access to test it.

Also, make sure you make the switch over out of hours as there will be a period of time where mail may go to Exchange or your old setup.

 

[Paul_Rosser]

Great, thanks guys, brilliant responses with lots of useful info.

You've put me straight on what I didn't understand, in that I don't need the Exchange software if I go with the cloud service.

I have Outlook 97 on the pc's/laptop, so I really can pay and go for the cloud, with a few swear words no doubt when I'm setting it up!

I have access to our email server so I should be able to sort out the DNS stuff.

I'll give it a go

Thanks again.

Debbie

I don't know about any others but Racskapce include a licence for Outlook 2007/2010 in their monthly fee, they aren't the cheapest but are one of the best in terms of network infastructure and support.

You wouldn't make the mail re-direct change on your email server, it would be via the control panel for your domain.

If you would also be looking to import all your historic mail from your existing email system then you may want to speak with RemoteTechs to ensure the process goes smoothly.

 

[Quest Cloud Solutions Ltd]

A bit late to the table but we can provide hosted Exchange mailboxes from our UK-based cloud platform for £3.95 a month; if you need a copy of Outlook then we can provide it for an additional £1.50 per license per month... not sure whether you can get just a copy of Outlook with MS 365 so thought I'd throw my two cents in.

Cheers

Ryan

 

[debbiem]

Just to let you know, you will have an issue with Outlook 97 as the way Outlook connects to hosted Exchange is only available in 2003 plus.

Although you could still use outlook web access to test it.

Also, make sure you make the switch over out of hours as there will be a period of time where mail may go to Exchange or your old setup.

Oh, I mean 2007 - I'm only 10 years behind!!

Thanks for the advice about out of hours, sounds like a good idea

 

[Leo-InstallingIT]

Oh, I mean 2007 - I'm only 10 years behind!!

Best place to be

On a more serious note, if you have any problems or just need to help with the changes feel free to give me a shout and I will be happy to help.