Exchange server implementation

[Craggus2000]

Hi,

I'm currently looking at implementing Exchange Server in our school, and another member of staff suggested looking at Escimo - Collaborative Online Learning. Its from Essex County Council and provides email for all staff. "This service is funded using special DCSF grants and will be free of charge to schools until September 2010."
Has anyone had any experiences with 'Escimo', good or bad?

Thanks

[Craggus2000]

Has no one had any experiences with this?

[clarky2k3]

We use Open Source Zimbra Collaboration Suite very, very good and easy to set-up.

[CyberNerd]

We've been running the opensource zimbra for about 2yrs now. It integrates very well with active directory and has content filtering and antivirus for free.
We've been through several upgrades (since it's free, we get major updates free) and it has never let us down.
It was very simple to implement, accounts are created automatically via a simple script. It has all the features of exchange with less of the hassle and none of the price.

[Ric_]

@Craggus2000: Since your LA's offering is free for the time being you may as well explore what is available plus whaty the costs will be as of September 2010... it may be that it's part of a bigger picture of that you've indirectly paid for it already. If it does what you want it is an easy way to reduce the management for you.

Personally, I have switched to Open Source Zimbra from Exchange 2003 after deciding that web access was essential and the licensing costs for Exchange were too prohibitive (over £5k! for 1300 users plus additional hardware costs due to the fact Exchange needs beefier hardware than Zimbra).