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Recommendations for a hosted MS Exchange service

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40hz:
Hey gang! 40hz needs a little help... :tellme:



I have a very small client that is totally in love with MS Outlook 2010. They have now reached the point where they want to start using some of its group features.

Unfortunately, that means an Exchange Server - something totally insane for them to consider bringing in-house because: (a) they will only have five users; (b) they have no internal IT support staff, and; (c) I can't cost justify it for them - even though they probably can (I think) afford it.

So right now I'm in the middle of doing some research to identify an MS Exchange hosting provider for them.

What they absolutely need:


* IMAP accounts
* Shared Calendars
* Decent storage capacity and message/attachment allowances
* Blackberry support
* Host performed PST backups
* Host provided security (antivir/antimal/antispam)
* A knowledgeable (English speaking) tech support department that can handle semi-newbie questions
Nice to have:


* Webmail access
* Compliance-level message archiving services
* Web-based account management tools
Note: It's ok if some of the features (compliance archiving, Blackberry, etc.) cost extra. And total price is less important than vendor reputation, uptime guarantees, and financial stability. In a nutshell, they expect to pay what it's worth and want somebody who they can count on to provide it.


Question: is anybody out there using (or specifying for clients) a hosted MS Exchange service they're particularly happy with?

I'd prefer direct hands-on experiences if at all possible since I can read the reviews, visit the sites, and speak to tech support and marketing people as well as the next person. (That's what I've been doing most of this afternoon.)

Feel free to PM me if you'd prefer. I've got about four weeks to get back to them. Any recommendations (good/bad) - or war stories would be greatly appreciated.


Oh yeah, one more thing...NO open source suggestions on this one please? This isn't something I'll have the luxury of tinkering with. It needs to be ready to go right out of the chute. Besides, they're pretty insistent on Exchange since both of the owners had it at their former jobs - and loved it.

Thx! :)

Stoic Joker:
What is the hardware situation there?? Exchange for 5-20 users shouldn't really require an internal IT staff ... So if they can handle the (limited really) cost of an internal deployment ... I'd avoid the cloud stuff (yes I'm a cloud hater).

40hz:
@SJ - New client (1 month old) so I don't have every detail yet. But here's what I do know:

They have one decent general purpose fileserver running W2K3, a very nice firewall/VPN implementation somebody else set up for them, an ok backup system, and three network printers (2 high volume lasers plus a Xerox WorkCentre 3550 for network fax/scanning/etc.)

There's a total of 6 new Win7-64 PCs in house (1 per employee plus a spare/'hotel' workstation) and three of the employees also have brand new laptops. Each employee has a company issued Blackberry. And if I understand correctly, one of the principles also regularly uses an iPad.

All the desktops and printers use wired ethernet. The office is also set up for Wifi-G (on one WAP) plus dual-N on a second one. Both WAPs are heavily secured. All wireless network connections go through the VPN to connect to the internal network. All server room routers and switches are either HP or Cisco.

Everything they've got is two years old or less (and has extended onsite warranties) so they're in great shape both hardware and software-wise.

Regarding Exchange for 5-10...yeah it wouldn't be that difficult to set up an additional server and run it. But there isn't anybody there to administer it. Or even do basic maintenance on it. They're big on automating everything as much as possible and then have someone come in a few times per year to check up on things. Otherwise, they call only when they need something new - or if something breaks.

So if they get Exchange in, it will become my ultimate responsibility. And they're in the financial advisory sector so their email has compliance and regulatory baggage attached to it. Some of their communications are also legally binding contracts - so it's a little more complicated than usual with these guys. Which means there's also some serious legal downside potential for whoever is running this for them should something blow up.

The thing that really makes me not want to take ownership of this for them is the fact they will not allow remote access into their network for server or system maintenance. Don't know exactly why, but that's how it is with them. Somebody's advice or orders apparently, and a 'non-discussion' topic.

On the plus side, they're ok with paying big bucks for a four-hour onsite response window - but that doesn't help with Exchange since you know as well as I that it should be checked every day or two. And we're not staffed such that we can have someone run over there every other day for what they'd be willing to pay for us to do it.

So those are the main reasons why I just want to farm this out to someone else. Fortunately, there are a bunch of companies catering to their specific industry and regulatory environment, so I'm guessing I'm not the only tech that's reached the conclusion this is a "special risk/requirement" project better handled by a specialist provider.



 ;D

Carol Haynes:
Not sure it ticks all the boxes but how about

http://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/office365/exchange-online.aspx

40hz:
Not sure it ticks all the boxes but how about

http://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/office365/exchange-online.aspx
-Carol Haynes (December 30, 2011, 08:28 PM)
--- End quote ---

Absolutely. It was my very first port of call. :Thmbsup:

Microsoft Exchange Online Plan 2 is definitely on the short list since it's mothership herself that's offering it. Has about 90% of what we're looking for. And @ $10 USD per user per month (and with no contract) it's extremely competitive. Also very flexible since you can add or drop users and services in 365 quite easily - and without penalty.

Then there's this other thing: We're also MS Partners, so I know we should at least consider recommending "365" when it truly does fit a client's requirements. ;D

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