Microsoft Exchange hosting is a service providing customers with security-enhanced, advanced e-mail services. Built around the advanced messaging capabilities of Exchange Server 2007/2010, Hosted Exchange offers you a broad selection of messaging services. These include e-mail messaging, individual and group calendaring, scheduling tools, contract management, additional storage, personal domains, and mobile device synchronization.
Microsoft Exchange is the world’s most popular business messaging platform, serving almost 60% of businesses worldwide. Microsoft Exchange enhances company productivity through advanced features.
Question |
Answer |
| How easy is it to sign up for Hosted Exchange, and how long does it take? |
It’s very simple to order using our web-based order form. Alternatively, one of our specialists will be able to answer any questions and help you with more complex orders/ requirements. |
| What sort of SLA (Service Level Agreement) do you offer? |
We offer a 99.7% SLA, with compensation for unscheduled downtime. We carry out regular and routine maintenance and constant monitoring to ensure the highest possible level of service and performance. |
| How do you charge for Hosted Exchange? |
We charge monthly, on a per-mailbox basis for the service provided. The cost per mailbox will depend upon the features and functionality as well as the storage quota assigned. |
| Which Operating System do I need to enable me to use your Hosted Exchange Service? |
Users will need either Windows Vista or Windows XP with Service Pack 2 installed, to get the full functionality of Hosted Exchange. |
| Which version of Outlook do I need to work with your Hosted Exchange Service? |
You need to have Outlook 2003 (or higher, e.g. Outlook 2007) in order to enjoy the full functionality. A free, fully-licensed copy of Outlook 2010 is available via download for each Enterprise Mailbox, if required. Also available as an upgrade feature for SOHO / SME plans. For remote (Outlook Web Access) connection to your account a computer with an internet connection running Internet Explorer (6 or above) is recommended. |
| Do I need a VPN to connect to your Hosted Exchange? |
No. With Windows XP (or higher) and Outlook 2003 (or higher), Windows uses a protocol called RPC over HTTPS, which does away with the need for a VPN. |
| Do you show us how to set up Outlook to enable communications with your Hosted Exchange Platform? |
Yes, we provide you with a user-friendly, step by step guide, which shows you everything you need to do. Expert advice is on hand to assist you, should you need it. |
| Do you help us migrate our data into your Hosted Exchange Platform? |
Yes, advice available, should you need it |
| Do you offer more than one Hosted Exchange Product? |
Enterprise is the Full Exchange / Outlook 2010 product with nothing left out, so it provides all of the collaboration functionality such as Shared Calendars, Address Books / Contacts, and Public Folders. Mailboxes start at 2GB Storage Space as part of the package. Public Folders start at 500MB. Additional Disk Space can be provided at extra cost.
SOHO and SME provides secure email functionality, but without all the features of the Enterprise product. |
| Do you offer Windows Mobile Device Support / Outlook Mobile Access (OMA)? |
Yes, in all packages we offer full support for Windows Mobile Devices, via Windows Mobile 5 and above. There is no additional cost for this. |
| Is there a Control Panel? |
Yes, we provide a Control Panel which enables you to manage and maintain your Hosted Exchange accounts. |
| Can we change our Passwords ourselves? |
Yes. This is done via the Control Panel. |
| Can I access my email via Webmail as well as Outlook on my PC? |
Yes. You can access your email via Outlook Web Access (OWA) - also known as Webmail. We will give you all you need to do this (URL, Username and Password). You can use this access method from any device with a web browser (Internet Explorer 6 and above recommended) and Internet connection. |
| Where is the email stored? |
All your information is stored on our secure servers, including your personal folders. You can therefore use Outlook from two different locations (such as your desktop PC and your Laptop), and always see the same information for your email account. Should you require, you can download a copy of your data and store it locally. |
| Can I work on my emails off-line? |
You can download your email and documents to your local computer (e.g. via Outlook). You can then organise and work on them off-line, updating the documents or composing your replies. When you next connect to the Exchange Platform, any outgoing messages will be sent and the folder views synchronised. |
| Can I increase or decrease the number of users I require on a monthly basis? |
Yes. You can add or remove users via the Control Panel. The monthly charge is based on the number of users who were active on the service at the monthly renewal date. |
| How does Microsoft Licensing work? |
We license our Hosted Exchange service on a Per User / Month basis with Microsoft. This is included in your monthly charge so there are no further licensing costs incurred. |
| Do I get Virus Checking and Spam filtering (AV / AS)? |
We provide these free of charge, on a per mailbox basis for Hosted Exchange. |
| Is there a firewall in place on your Hosted Exchange Platform? |
Yes. It is included in the package at no extra cost. All the Exchange Servers sit behind an enterprise-grade Firewall. |
| Do you keep the Exchange servers updated with the latest Microsoft security patches? |
Yes. All our servers are scanned regularly to ensure they are up to date with the latest security patches. We have a security policy to apply any patches that are required. |
| What data do you backup and how long do you keep it for? |
We perform daily backups of Exchange data to mailbox level. These are kept for 7 days. |
| What can be restored, i.e. a single email, mailbox etc? |
Yes. We can restore any part of the backed-up data on Hosted Exchange for up to 7 days for an additional cost. |
| Do you need to control our Domain Name? |
No. You can have the domain’s MX Record pointed to our Hosted Exchange Platform. |
| Is there a maximum email message sized that I can use with the Hosted Exchange service? |
Yes, individual messages (including attachments) are limited to 20MB in size. This applies to both sent and received items. Larger documents may be distributed using the Public Folders facility if required. |
| Can I set an 'Out of Office Message' in Exchange? |
Yes. This is done either from your Outlook client or Outlook Web Access. |
| Can I share my contacts list and personal calendars with others? |
Yes. This is set up on an individual permissions basis, with each User setting up a 'share' from their Outlook client. |
| Can we have a common shared calendar between a number of people? |
Yes. This facility is available with the SME and Enterprise products and would be set up by the Administrator of your email system. |
| Can we have common shared folders between a number of people? |
Yes. This facility is available with the SME and Enterprise products. This is called Public Folders. This would be set up by the Administrator of your email system. |
| Can we have a mixture of Enterprise and SME Mailboxes? |
Yes. You can have any combination that you require, with varying storage allocations. |
| Can we set up Distribution lists? |
Yes. This facility is available with the SME and Enterprise products. You can do this from your control panel. |
| Can we set up an Alias email address? |
Yes. You can do this from your control panel. |
| Can we set up our SMTP address for users or the whole company? |
Yes. You can do this from your control panel. |
