Implementing Exchange

[Tricky_Dicky]

Hi all,

 

I'm looking for some opinion and/or advice on implementing an Exchange server.

 

We have just received our email addresses from Link2ICT using their new Zimbra system and well it doesn't quite measure up to what I was expecting so I was thinking of bringing the email system in house on our own Exchange server.

 

Now, I've never managed an Exchange server before and was wondering how feasable it was? We have a good AD system which will be moving over to 2008r2 over the summer and I thought that it would be a good idea to implement it then.

 

We currently have 740 children plus 50ish staff so they would all require accounts as well as OWA(is that the right term for web access?) so could anyone give an idea of costs on the licensing and server required for this?

 

Sorry for the long post and please say if you think I'm being daft.

 

Rich

[webman]

Have you considered running your own Zimbra installation? What benefits does Exchange give you over Zimbra?

[Tricky_Dicky]

Have you considered running your own Zimbra installation? What benefits does Exchange give you over Zimbra?

 

I haven't really, I suppose fear of the unknown with Zimbra.

[leco]

So what's the difference between the unknown Zimbra and an equally unknown Exchange?

[Tricky_Dicky]

With exchange at least I'm an slightly more known environment of Windows as opposed to a Linux based one.

[leco]

Now where's your sense of discovery and adventure? You might find that you like it more than you thought:)

[teky]

Another option is the Live@EDU service that Microsoft has farely recently introduced. Haven't looked into all the options that they provide but you can create single sign on, and the interface is basically exchange 2010's OWA side. have started using it in a few primary's with good results so far.