Email servers are not a new technology, but many organizations still do not have one. The rise in mobility, though, has brought renewed appreciation for these behind-the-scenes workhorses and are driving many companies to finally invest in their first server.
It's Not About Email - Calendar, Contacts, and Backup
Interestingly enough, the main reasons to invest in a mail server have nothing to do with email itself. With a mail server, employees can take advantage of collaboration tools such as shared calendars to plan meetings, reserve rooms, and reserve resources. Contacts can be shared within the organization, allowing central repositories for shared data. All of this information can be backed up, so if an individuals laptop is lost or PC is destroyed, the emails are not lost forever.
Life Doesn't Happen on a PC - Mobility
In addition to being able to share and save information, mobility is a part of the need for a mail server. With an email server, the email is stored on the central server even after it is pulled down to the user's local machine. Therefore, emails can later be viewed on the server using web mail. This can be handy for users who occasionally work from home but do not have a laptop, or users who float around the organization and do not bring a laptop with them (like tech support workers).
Most importantly, the mail server enables corporate-grade access to email on BlackBerry smartphones. While there are some work-arounds for home users, the best way to get email on a BlackBerry is via the BlackBerry Enterprise Server (BES). And BES, whether regular BES or Professional, requires an enterprise grade mail server. BES works with IBM Lotus Domino, Microsoft Exchange, and Novell Groupwise.
Choices for a Mail Server
The main competitors in the mail server space are Lotus Domino, Microsoft Exchange, and Novell Groupwise. When choosing a mail server, some of the questions to ask are:
- How does this solution fit with the rest of the corporate infrastructure?
- Does this software run on the hardware and operating systems the team understands and uses? Am I locked in to one vendor's stack, or is the software flexible?
- If the organization purchases this software, what are the true costs? In this estimate, are all the CALs needed listed?
- How much uptime can be expected? How much time will staff dedicate to troubleshooting and supporting the software?
- If support from the manufacturer is required, is there an extra charge?
- If the organization needs hands on help and training, which local partners are recommended?
In conculsion, organizations that in the past have not invested in a mail server may find the benefits, especially corporate grade mobility, compelling now as never before. For more information on email servers and mobility, contact the software vendors, including IBM and RIM.
