Question : Looking for a way to simplify e-mail, looking to ditch Exchange for Google or Hosted Solution?  Help!

Hi Everyone,

Here is the deal.  I have a small site who currently only has two users with e-mail accounts.  As crazy as it sounds, someone decided to sell them an Exchange server with all the bells and whistles.  Despite the fact they already paid for this and it's up and running now, they want to get away from it.  There are NO technical employees on staff at all so no one can keep an eye on the Exchange server, no one on-site can restart it when it goes down (which they claim happens whenever it rains . . . I'm sure it's something else but the point is they say it happens almost weekly), etc.

They want a simple hosted e-mail solution that will not require a server running 24/7 on-site, will not require anyone to administer it, especially with hurrican season coming, power is an issue as well.

The question is, what's the best way to go?  They already have the domain registered and Exchange running.  It's only two e-mail accounts right now, but they are very important accounts.

I was considering a switch to Google as I've seen a lot of people do lately.  Setup google mail for domains and then just change the MX records and it should be fairly seemless?  I've toyed with the idea of a hosted Exchange option also.  Any and all advice would be appreciated!

The main concern is reliability, no on-site equipment needed, and maintaining their current mailboxes, contacts, etc that are currently in their Exchange data files in Outlook.

Thanks in advance.  I don't typically support Exchagne so I appreciate the advice!

Answer : Looking for a way to simplify e-mail, looking to ditch Exchange for Google or Hosted Solution?  Help!

I would put them on to a hosted Exchange system. Microsoft's most likely. That will give them everything they are familiar with with regards to Outlook, plus they will be on the latest platform from Microsoft. Two users I couldn't justify anything in house.

Simon.