What can Exchange do for me?

[Guest Pagemakers]

I don't use Microsoft Exchange, however the option is possibly open to me...

For those of you that do I have a few questions.

1) My understanding is that Exchange is like an online version of Outlook...

2) Do I still need Outlook on my PC?

3) What happens if I have no connection to the Internet? Can I still view my contacts/calendar since the last sync?

4) If my colleague update the calendar in the UK, if I'm in the States does my phone/PDA update 'invisibly' and automatically, or must I do a manual sync?

5) What are the Exchange benefits?

6) What are the downsides?

7) Do/Can I sync over GPRS/3G?

8) Anything else I should know.

Thanks for taking the time to reply.

Edited September 25, 2005 by Pagemakers

[Guest Y-Wing]

I don't use Microsoft Exchange, however the option is possibly open to me...

For those of you that do I have a few questions.

1) My understanding is that Exchange is like an online version of Outlook...

2) Do I still need Outlook on my PC?

3) What happens if I have no connection to the Internet? Can I still view my contacts/calendar since the last sync?

4) If my colleague update the calendar in the UK, if I'm in the States does my phone/PDA update 'invisibly' and automatically, or must I do a manual sync?

5) What are the Exchange benefits?

6) What are the downsides?

7) Do/Can I sync over GPRS/3G?

8) Anything else I should know.

Thanks for taking the time to reply.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

1. It is an enterprise server based e-mail system

2. Yes

3. Yes

4. You will need to sync, and you will need something like Microsoft Mobile Information Server (MMIS) or thirdy party system like OneBridge to do it. We have both at work 8)

5. Made by Microsoft

6. Made by Microsoft :o

7. Yes, with MMIS and using Activesync on the phone

8. An exchange server update coming soon will allow push e-mail a la Blackberry with WM5

Cheers!

[Guest Pagemakers]

Thanks.

Will this do what I want? http://order.1and1.co.uk/xml/order/MailExc...top&__lf=Static

I see there is no mention of MMIS or OneBridge though...

[Guest Y-Wing]

Thanks.

Will this do what I want? http://order.1and1.co.uk/xml/order/MailExc...top&__lf=Static

I see there is no mention of MMIS or OneBridge though...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Actually what I said previously is not up to date :oops: , looking on microsoft.com Exchange Server 2003 has native support for mobility (so MMIS is not required and it does not look like they are selling it anymore). See here

Does not look like you can sync using a mobile device with that service, just access anywhere via a PC browser using Outlook Webmail (I use that as well). Although they do talk about mobile ActiveSync. Best to ask them I reckon.

[Guest rilex]

In Exchange 2003, you can use OMA to have Exchange "push" email to your device, it is an over-the-air sync (called Always Up To Date).

With Exchange, you don't have to have Outlook. You can purely use OWA if you want, but if you have PSTs you'll need Outlook.

Some downsides include recoverability. If you lose Active Directory you also lose Exchange.

Exchange is a complex system. Since you're not sure what it is, I highly suggest you go to http://www.microsoft.com/exchange and read up on it before even thinking of purchasing it. You'll also want to familiarize yourself with Active Directory -- again, if you don't know it you need to before you even think about Exchange.

[Guest Confucious]

Isn't Exchange for multiple users and Outlook for individuals. They are different things Outlook can access an Exchange server or ISP for email and store data locally. Exchange is the "back end" in companies that stores data for multiple users and is the email server and is thus unsuitable for an individual user.

Although I'm sure you could get it to work it does seem to be a sledgehammer and nut situation IMHO.

Unless, of course, I am totally wrong (which is always a possibility :o)

[Guest Pagemakers]

I have a business partner and sometime we can go a week without syncing data to the same version of Outlook in the office.

I just thought Outlook may be the way to go.

1&1 offer Exchange packages without the hassle of setting up the server itself.

[Guest Confucious]

So basically they are running Exchange for you. It might be just what you're after.

There's a 60 day money back guarantee so it's probably worth signing up for it and trying it.

Good luck.