One of the most robust email solutions, Microsoft Exchange offers users all the benefits of POP3/SMTP and IMAP email accounts in addition to advanced features such as wireless access and shared resources.
The Upside
Because of its flexibility and loads of features, Microsoft Exchange is the email solution of choice for most large businesses. It includes shared resources such as:
- Calendars
- Task lists
- Folders
- Contact lists
In addition, Microsoft has designed the software to easily synchronize your email across multiple devices. Whether you access your messages from a PDA, desktop or the Internet, you never have to open or delete a message twice.
The Downside
Compared with POP3 and IMAP email solutions, Microsoft Exchange is more expensive. To run the system yourself, you’d need a server, suitable server facilities and someone to perform upgrades and system maintenance.
You can get Microsoft Exchange without those costs by using a hosted solution. When you choose this route, a Web hosting company runs and maintains the server in a secure data center and you pay a monthly, per-mailbox fee for the service. In this way you can get all the same functionality large businesses enjoy at a fraction of the cost.