Email & Outlook?

Question

We have a very small network. 3 users.
We only have one published email address for our clients. I would like the 3 users to all work from the same mailbox INBOX and SENT items within Outlook from different computers at the same time. I know I can do this if I buy an exchange server. But is there another way or a cheaper mail server that can do this?

Thanks Ian. Its a good plan. Problem is they want to use Outlook.

I am looking for an Exchange like server.

Answer 1

Designate one machine as the "mail host" and map network links to the mail client on that machine from the others.
That way, when they click on the shortcut you set up, they'll all run the same client on the one machine.

Then use a mail client (not Outlook! -Qualcomm's "Eudora" is good ) which lets you define where the mailboxes are kept, and specify that they're all on the main machine.

Answer 2

You probably don't need an Exchange server, or any mail server, for that matter. It depends on who's hosting your e-mail now. The important setting is to "keep a copy of e-mail on server", which means your e-mail host keeps a copy of all e-mails on their server. This will allow you to have multiple connections, without one client having data another doesn't.
Set up Outlook on each client with the identical information (account name, POP and SMTP servers, etc.). Have each store information locally in a .pst file, and keep a copy on the server. Each client will have their own data locally, but copies of everything will remain on the server.

This should solve your problem.

Answer 3

You could consider Managed Exchange - such as www.managedexchange.com. Ive setup my clients to use this.

Its a monthly subscription (just like your usual email hosting plans), and let them worry about server up-time, backups and disaster recoveries.

Saves you from having to hire IT pros to manage your exchange server, and monitor backups. I believe this is more cost effective for a small group of users.

I would consider setting up Exchange if its for a large group of users - like 20, since the cost for most managed exchange are charged per user basis.

Answer 4

Hello!
It can be done by sharing Inbox and Sent Items - you can use add-in for it - so every one setting the same email account (open) to receive (just it will be needed to leave copy on server) emails... and one addityional account (personal one - msn, gmail POP3 account - for sharing)...
This tool allows to share MS Outlook data - Inbox and Sent Items ... so in this scenario everything is possible :)

http://shareo.4team.biz/?pcode=607180190pwkkd3

Answer 5

This is a unprofessional implemenation. You could use Yahoo mail.

The cost is FREE.

I dont know of a "cheap" mail server. If your not fussed about the Yahoo extention then I would strongly recommend it.

I hope that helps.

Answer 6

I am not sure what you want to do is possible. Perhaps you can try email aliasing if it is supported by your Email service provider.

Maybe this will give you some other ideas,

http://www.outlook-tips.net/index.html

I hope this helps.

Have fun but be safe.