Emails, diaries and intranets are easy with these services from SpiderGroup
What is Microsoft Exchange?
Microsoft Exchange is a program that handles email, diaries and addresses for businesses. Its benefits include:
| • | Mobility. Access email via PocketPCs, Smartphones and other mobile devices such as BlackBerry. Pick up your email from home, a client site or anywhere with an internet connection. |
| • | Security. Built-in spam protection and easy backup and archiving of business information. |
| • | Efficiency. The ability to share diaries, address details and other business information. |
I already have email, so why do I need this?
Many businesses rely on basic POP3 email accounts from their internet service provider or even web mail. These are not usually ideal for business use:
| • | No backup and limited spam and virus protection – you run the risk of losing email because it is not stored and backed up properly. |
| • | You can’t share your diary easily with colleagues |
| • | They’re often less secure and reliable than business-class email systems |
| • | Limited features, for example no support for collaboration |
| • | Less flexible access to your email via your mobile phone or PDA |
One user who have made the switch said:
“It amazes people who haven’t seen it before – it is way beyond what POP3 email could ever offer.”
What is ‘Hosting’ and Hosted Exchange?
Many companies run Exchange Server on dedicated server computers on their own premises. This can prove costly for small to medium sized businesses. However, thanks to new Microsoft technology, it is possible to outsource this to specialist hosting companies such as SpiderGroup, just like you might let someone host your website for you.
This can reduce the cost, risk, complexity and support burden associated with an in-house system. It is also quicker to set up than an in-house system and can reduce your up-front costs.
Why choose hosted Exchange?
There are several reasons why you might chose a hosted solution over an in-house email system:
| • | No upfront capital or licensing costs. Just a predictable per-user, monthly fee |
| • | Reduced maintenance and support. Your staff can concentrate on your business, not on routine admin and maintenance of your IT systems. Exchange will not run itself and requires careful looking after. Therefore it’s best to leave it to the experts. |
| • | Easy set up. With an online control panel and customer support team you’re move to Hosted Exchange is hassle free and painless. |
| • | The costs match your requirements. Adding staff? Add more users when you need them. Scaling back? Remove users and functionality as necessary and pay only for what you use. |
| • | Reliability. High service level agreements and inclusive IT support. |
What is hosted SharePoint Server and how can it help my business?
Just as you can outsource Microsoft Exchange Server, it is also possible to get Microsoft Windows SharePoint Services as a hosted service. This allows you and your colleagues to work more effectively by storing business information in a secure, private intranet website that is accessible anywhere.
SharePoint is useful for:
| • | Project management |
| • | Team collaboration |
| • | Centralised document management |
| • | Customer relationship management |
| • | Sharing things like employee handbooks, policies, holiday diaries and phone directories |
For more information, call us on 0117 933 0570 or fill in our contact form and we’ll get back to you.