Sponsored Post: Is Hosted Email Right for Your Business?
by corporate sponsor Concentric - Oct. 01, 2009
With all the talk about cloud computing and Software as a Service (SaaS), where does hosted email fit in and what is it all about? While it's easy to rely on one of the free email services available for small businesses, a fully managed hosted option takes all the guesswork and hassle out of one of the most important tools a successful business needs -- reliable email service.
There are several advantages to using hosted email, and chief among them is the predictable and comparatively low cost of services like Concentric's Hosted Exchange. An in-house deployment of Microsoft Exchange 2007 along with the associated costs of purchasing new hardware and software can easily cost a mid-size organization hundreds of dollars even before the first email is sent. Add to that administrative costs, server downtime, and system monitoring, and the total cost of ownership quickly skyrockets.
Hosted email is particularly attractive to companies that want a low barrier of entry, and need an email system to be up and running in hours, not days or weeks. A feature-rich package like Concentric's Hosted Exchange lets employees continue to use the email format they're already familiar with, but without the expensive and frustrating migration delays of an in-house deployment.
Another benefit of hosted software is its secure off-site email storage. IT managers and business owners enjoy peace of mind knowing that their company's important business communications are safely stored elsewhere in case of localized hardware failure or a catastrophic event. When you factor in vendor technical support and the ability to access a hosted email system from the Web or a mobile device, it's easy to see why many companies prefer it over an internally managed option.
Of course, hosted email may not be right for every business. Sarbanes-Oxley, Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and similar regulations require some companies to follow a strict set of guidelines governing the retention, storage, and security of corporate email that's more easily managed in-house. Additionally, some CTOs may be reluctant to use a hosted email service out of concern over adding yet another company to an already overflowing list of vendors to manage. Finally, while still less expensive than an in-house deployment, the cost of managed email can be out of reach for some small businesses operating on a shoestring budget.
When you're ready to take the plunge and give hosted email a try, there are a few key features companies need to look for in a vendor. Since the success of your business lies partly in access to reliable email, make sure the company you choose has top-notch 24/7 tech support to handle any emergencies or issues that pop up. Always check that the vendor offers redundant backup facilities and has strong disaster recovery protocols in place to protect your data.
Before making a final decision on what company will host your managed email, it is vital to look at its policies for data retrieval in case your business decides to switch gears and deploy an in-house mail server in the future. Also make sure the vendor has scalable products that can accommodate your growing business needs.
Choosing an effective email management system is one of the most important business decisions companies make and, because communication is key in any industry, it is an area that can afford the least amount of error. When assessing hosted email services, be sure to look for a vendor with a proven track record and one that brings a full-featured solution to the table. With the right partnership in place, you can concentrate on other business issues knowing that your company's email communication system is safe and reliable.
Flickr image courtesy of Florian.
Concentric is a sponsor of the Hosting Zone on OStatic.
