I'd like to speak to someone that is in the Exchange Hosting business about how to get started, what the costs are etc. I have called Microsoft but they can't seem to get me the right department.

Thanks,
Brad

You would need a SPLA contract from microsoft so you can pay per mailbox.

Buy a server and configure it. You could always outright buy Exchange 2007 or 2003. If im not mistaken the mailboxes are based on CAL licenses of the OS.

PM me for more info ill try to explain what i know.

How about becoming a reseller of another hosted exchange provider like mail2web or myhosting.com

My company owns and operates this service. I'm happy to tell you how we got it up and running. PM me.

ClearData, I think because you only have 4 posts I can't PM you. So try to contact me if you would, david AT beenanza.com. I'm just looking at doing Exchange hosted services. I'm looking at the software from DotNetPanel.com.

Contact Microsoft is a bad idea. Microsoft hosts Exchange itself.
To start Exchange hosting, all you need is a dedicated server.

coolvserver,

Who do you think makes the Microsoft Exchange product?

You could alway try the direct reseller route through Microsoft (I am a Microsoft Online Services Partner). It's called BPOS and retail on the seats is only 10USD and includes Hosted Exchange, SharePoint, Live Meeting and Office Communicator. Minimum purchase is 5 Seats.