r2-ga:
There are two distinct forms of hosting available for MS Exchange
Server. The most popular form is traditional, offsite application
serving, where a dedicated MS Exchange Server implementation is hosted
for a client within a hosting facility.
The second form, which is most suited for SOHOs and SMBs, is referred
to as Hosted MS Exchange service, where a client can purchase Exchange
accounts served from a shared Exchange Server, with complete
separation between the accounts and data of any one client, from those
of the other clients. If you are starting up a SOHO, this is the first
option that you should investigate.
Microsoft provides a partial list of their Hosted MS Exchange partners, at:
http://www.microsoft.com/exchange/partners/hosting.asp
These companies have worked directly with Microsoft to implement
Hosted MS Exchange services. Further information from Microsoft on
using Hosted MS Exchange is available from:
http://www.microsoft.com/exchange/evaluation/solutions/hosted.asp
Other companies that offer Hosted MS Exchange services include:
Electric Mail Company
http://www.electricmail.com/ele/75
Tiscali
http://www-old.tiscali.co.za/services/hostedex_index.asp
Verio
http://hosting.verio.com/officelink/
XO
http://www.xo.com/products/smallgrowing/hosting/exchange/
Bell Canada
http://www.bell.ca/msx-isp
Many of these providers actually work with some of the companies
listed on the Microsoft partners page; however, depending on where
your SOHO is located, using one of these other companies if they are
located in your region may result in better (or at least easier to
access) customer service.
Generally, the services that any of these companies provide include
user accounts for Exchange using an Outlook client and/or Outlook Web
Access through a web browser. Many bundle in automated virus scanning
of all e-mail (incoming and outgoing), and many offer integration with
Hosted MS Sharepoint collaboration services. Providers such as Apptix
raise the ante by providing you or your designated company
administrator with an easy-to-use interface to provision and configure
user accounts. This removes most of the headaches involved with
setting up and administering your own Exchange server.
I hope this helps! If you would like some clarification to this
Answer, please let me know using the Request Clarification button
above.
Regards,
aht-ga
Google Answers Researcher |
