Alternative Email Server other than MS Exchange

[Lino]

Hi there

At work we desperately need a new server. Management seems to be happy to pay for MS Server 2008 but they are not prepared to buy Exchange 2007/2010. Even after much debating and motivating it with them. They unfortunately only see $$$ signs and don't take any of the technical considerations into account.

I have to give them a proposal of various email servers, with pro's and con's etc. I have looked at Kerio connect, however as I know Exchange I am inclined that way.

Your thoughts please

 

[Malasius]

Hmail server works pretty well as a free solution on windows

 

[mic_y]

how many users are you looking at? if it is not a lot, then possibly have a look at Microsoft Small Business Server 2008 (comes with exchange already)... but this only makes sense for relatively small deployments (15 users max - after which your CAL's start costing way too much)

 

[ubercal]

Hmail server.Seen it been used on a + - 100 user network without any issues.

 

[Lino]

We have about 50 users. We already running a 2003 SBS box and I never ever want to use a SBS box again

 

[sjm]

What are your requirements? Just mail or the full Exchange groupware experience?

 

[HazMan]

I never ever want to use a SBS box again

Any particular reason why ?

 

[Lino]

In all honesty, we actually need the whole groupware experience but management begs to differ and thinks we only need basic email.

 

[phiber]

Tell them if they dont want to fork out for mail to setup a google apps account.

 

[rajharie]

Tell them if they dont want to fork out for mail to setup a google apps account.

+1
50 users free with docs calendar im email and 7+ gb mailbox per user. Don't have to worry about hardware except router

Pm me if you want more help

 

[TheGuy]

Any particular reason why ?

+1 Would also like to know.

 

[Grep]

There aint nothing wrong with SBS, and this is coming from a unix guy.

 

[Lino]

Except if the company has more than one server? Then you need to have CAL's for each server in the organisation.

 

[bekdik]

what about a hosted exchange? Have a look at the mweb offering

 

[The_Unbeliever]

Zimbra

SME Server

ClearOS

eBox

there's more than one choice.

I can recommend SME Server, worked with it, very reliable and solid, easy to administrate and use. It comes with built-in email and spam filtering, and antivirus.

And it's free. Will work on a basic P4 1GHz PC with 256Mb RAM at a stretch, but the more RAM (and HDD space), the better.

 

[Lino]

YES finally convinced the company to buy Exchange 2010 Standard! WHOO

 

[JamesGeek]

Try SME Server.