SBS without Exchange?
I hear it all the time ... my customer wants an SBS server, but they don't want to use Exchange. I don't know about you, but the only reason I can think of why either the customer or the IT consultant would suggest not using Exchange is because they've never used it themselves, and therefore are scared that it's too difficult to install or manage. I have installed SBS servers for almost 9 years. I barely know how to spell Exchange, yet I find Exchange very easy to manage.
But, if you still need convincing, here is a short list of 8 reasons why you should consider using Exchange features with your SBS server.
- Group calendering
- Shared public folders
- Centralized storage and management of all emails
- Easy recovery of deleted emails
- Email archiving
- Centralized scanning of email for spam/viruses BEFORE they reach the user's inbox
- Access to email remotely via OWA
- Access to email via ActiveSync for cellphones and PDA's
Remember, if each user is using a POP3 account via Outlook, then those emails are generally only being stored on the user's computer, and therefore they are probably NOT being backed up. With Exchange, the emails are being stored on the server as well as being cached onto the user's workstation. Sbs and Exchange make a great team!
Cheers!