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  1. #1

    Hosting Recommendation - Need solid webmail & reliability

    My requirements are actually pretty simple, but I've spent the last few days combing sites trying to narrow down my choices. I haven't had much luck.

    I mainly need a host for e-mail, 90% of which will be accessed via the web. There will be about 75 users. It needs to be accessible via SSL, too, and reliability is key.
    Some type of shared addressbook would be nice, as well as a calendar function, but that's something that I can probably do through Squirrel Mail with themes and plugins.

    Web traffic and storage will be minimal... I need maybe 200MB storage and bandwidth will be 5GB per month tops. So, to boil it all down:

    SSL-accessible Webmail (w/ a good webmail client)
    100 e-mail accounts
    200MB storage
    5GB bandwidth
    High reliability

    Around $20/month??

    Thanks all! --Shawn

  2. #2
    The host that I have now is great having nothing bad to say about that them have had them for a year now they just started blocking some ports that I use for game but they have what you want and are cheap. If you ever have any Problems they will answer support tickets within a few mins. check them out at siteground.com

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Nov 2005
    Location
    Maryland
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    562
    I think that if you spend $20/month for hosting like that, then you are paying way to much! There are definately much cheaper hosts that fit all of your needs!
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  4. #4
    You should just get a Microsoft exchange 2003 server but that'd cost a lot more.

    My Suggestion: get a VPS and install your own mail software, you will be doing everything yourself, but it would be very reliable since all you're doing is hosting mail on that server, you can also use any webmail client you want instead of what the host provides you with.
    SwiftHost.net - Premium Service, Quality, Benefits.
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  5. #5
    Join Date
    Nov 2005
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    I think you should just get a very good shared host that has good webmail!
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  6. #6
    Just reviews the hosting companies and then select anyone.
    + Sukha
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  7. #7
    If you get at least a vps, you may want to take a look at

    http://www.zimbra.com/

    Simply an excellent exchange alternative and has all the functionality you require.

    You should be able to get a good vps solution for your budget...
    www.cartika.com
    www.clusterlogics.com - You simply cannot run a hosting company without this software. Backups, Disaster Recovery, Big Data, Virtualization. 20 years of building software that solves your problems

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Sep 2004
    Location
    Northern Europe.
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    I really wonder if the OP needs a VPS for those very modest needs...
    And a VPS would cost way more than $20 per month anyway IMHO.

    I suggest getting a basic shared account with some host that has a good reputation for reliability, plus offers SSL-accessible webmail (ask the prospective host about that).

    My 2 cents...
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  9. #9
    I suggest getting a basic shared account with some host that has a good reputation for reliability, plus offers SSL-accessible webmail (ask the prospective host about that).
    Id agree with that - however, if they really want to get into group functionality, shared calenders, address books, etc - rather then looking at exchange, there are alternatives

    If webmail alone will suffice, then certainly, lots of shared accounts will suffice
    www.cartika.com
    www.clusterlogics.com - You simply cannot run a hosting company without this software. Backups, Disaster Recovery, Big Data, Virtualization. 20 years of building software that solves your problems

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Dec 2004
    Location
    New York City, NY, USA
    Posts
    735
    I think people have been looking at budget hosts too long... From what I gather from the OP, he wanted high quality mail services for 75 users for $20/month (total)?

    I guess it depends how well you want to define "high quality"...

  11. #11
    I think people have been looking at budget hosts too long... From what I gather from the OP, he wanted high quality mail services for 75 users for $20/month (total)?

    I guess it depends how well you want to define "high quality"...
    LOL - good point

    But, if you stick with a quality, small VPS, and an open source solution like zimbra - it is possible (or at least close to that budget)

    If you're speaking high availability, managed exchange servers, etc - then certainly, the costs will be significantly higher
    www.cartika.com
    www.clusterlogics.com - You simply cannot run a hosting company without this software. Backups, Disaster Recovery, Big Data, Virtualization. 20 years of building software that solves your problems

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Dec 2004
    Location
    New York City, NY, USA
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    735
    I did not like Zimbra much personally--the UI was very strange. And the big thing, there are no READMEs or installation instructions included with the source download, so I had no idea how to install it. I'm not fond of companies calling things "open source" that aren't usuable.

    If you've the money, the best webmail client I've seen (better than GMail included, IMHO) is @Mail. It is extremely expensive, however.

  13. #13
    And the big thing, there are no READMEs or installation instructions included with the source download, so I had no idea how to install it. I'm not fond of companies calling things "open source" that aren't usuable.
    http://zimbra.com/products/documentation.html
    www.cartika.com
    www.clusterlogics.com - You simply cannot run a hosting company without this software. Backups, Disaster Recovery, Big Data, Virtualization. 20 years of building software that solves your problems

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Dec 2001
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    127.0.0.1
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    I'd recommend checking into CartikaHosting.com for your requirements - Andrew and crew really are on the ball with their servers. I don't think I've ever seen a time when their servers (mail or otherwise) were down.

  15. #15
    Well if he would shell out $250+ for @mail, then I suggest he look at Microsoft Exchange because even though I'm not a big microsoft fan, Exchange is an amazing piece of software built by Microsoft. There's nothing like it.


    And you can get a decent VPS for just email needs around $20/mo, let me know if you decide to go that route, there's some companies I'd definitely recommend.
    SwiftHost.net - Premium Service, Quality, Benefits.
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    www.swifthost.net

  16. #16
    Quote Originally Posted by brucebeh
    And you can get a decent VPS for just email needs around $20/mo, let me know if you decide to go that route, there's some companies I'd definitely recommend.
    Bruce -

    Go ahead with the recommendations. I'm willing to take a look at that route if it's comparable in price. Thanks.

    Shawn

  17. #17
    Hi Shawn,

    If its simply mail - you should also take a very close look at...

    www.hyperoffice.com

    Simply an outstanding exchange alternative - will cost you more then $20/month (especially for that many users) - but, will be cheaper then exchange..

    having said this - you cant go wrong with zimbra either - so, hopefully you can find some decent VPS solutions in your price range....
    www.cartika.com
    www.clusterlogics.com - You simply cannot run a hosting company without this software. Backups, Disaster Recovery, Big Data, Virtualization. 20 years of building software that solves your problems

  18. #18
    Quote Originally Posted by sp7326
    Bruce -

    Go ahead with the recommendations. I'm willing to take a look at that route if it's comparable in price. Thanks.

    Shawn
    For VPS, I would recommend...

    X1Services.com - http://www.x1services.com

    They were able to give me a custom plan with the following specs that should well exceed your needs.

    1GB of Space
    150GB Bandwidth
    High Reliability as long as you don't crash the server yourself
    Basically Unlimited Number of Accounts
    NO Control Panel
    Choice of, Fedora Core 2, Cent OS 3.5 or Red Hat (i think)

    Cost: $14.99/mo, if you need more space, I'm sure you can add a extra few bucks for more space.

    Email Darin about it and mention brucebeh for the custom plan to make things easier
    SwiftHost.net - Premium Service, Quality, Benefits.
    We have been providing shared hosting since 2002
    Unique Customer Oriented Policies like 24 Hours Guaranteed Resolution
    www.swifthost.net

  19. #19
    Quote Originally Posted by CartikaHosting
    Hi Shawn,

    If its simply mail - you should also take a very close look at...

    Simply an outstanding exchange alternative - will cost you more then $20/month (especially for that many users) - but, will be cheaper then exchange..
    Thanks... Hyperoffice sure looks attractive, and I'm quite sure it would fit the bill. As you said, though, for 100 users it's $500/month, which exceeds what I'm able to pay. Some day, maybe!

    Thanks again.

  20. #20
    Shawn,

    There is another product out there similar to HyperOffice called (Exchange like web based program). The company that makes the product is DeskNow, but I know there are hosting companies out there that use it for webmail hosting.

    Also, it would be pretty easy to setup and use in house. Wasn't sure if that was a consideration, but if it was, thought I'd toss it out there.

    Brian
    Brian Shrift
    www.AdvancedWebmail.net
    Business Hosting Services

  21. #21
    Hey shawn, Let us know how it all goes, I'm curious myself to see what would actually have the features you requested
    SwiftHost.net - Premium Service, Quality, Benefits.
    We have been providing shared hosting since 2002
    Unique Customer Oriented Policies like 24 Hours Guaranteed Resolution
    www.swifthost.net

  22. #22
    Thanks... Hyperoffice sure looks attractive, and I'm quite sure it would fit the bill. As you said, though, for 100 users it's $500/month, which exceeds what I'm able to pay. Some day, maybe!
    Hi SP and fair enough. Believe it or not, Hyperoffice is cheaper then a reliable hosted Exchange solution.

    Again, you do have alternatives, and Zimbra is a great on. I would avoid "web mail" apps as I dont think they can give you the collaboration features you will want once you get going....
    www.cartika.com
    www.clusterlogics.com - You simply cannot run a hosting company without this software. Backups, Disaster Recovery, Big Data, Virtualization. 20 years of building software that solves your problems

  23. #23

    Kerio

    You may also want to check out Kerio Mail Server. I've been using it for a while, and it works quite well--they have a great web interface, and it supports calendars, address books, public folders, etc. It's not free, but it's cheaper than exchange would be.

    Also, their administration tool can be used on any Mac or Windows machine, making it easy to configure the server.

    Please feel free to drop me a message if you have any questions about it.

  24. #24
    Join Date
    Dec 2004
    Location
    New York City, NY, USA
    Posts
    735
    Hrm, blah, 3+ days later for me to get back to WHT...

    No one's explicitly said it, but I think it's apparent: with your budget, you're best bet is to go with a VPS and working with some OSS webmail or collaboration system, managing it yourself or finding someone to do it for you. Besides the plans mentioned here, be sure to check WHT's offer's forum.

  25. #25
    Join Date
    Nov 2005
    Location
    USA
    Posts
    884
    My recommendation is wait a few months. H-sphere and other panel distrubutors will be coming out with Exchange2003 hosting.... You can switch then.... in the event you can wait.
    GS RichCopy 360 Enterprise - Voted #1 for data migration and replication in terms of performance and features. Replicate data across between servers in the same network, WAN, or even across the internet - Many customer call it RSync for Windows

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