FAQ
What is Microsoft Exchange?
What is an ASP?
Why do companies use ASPs?
What kind of company uses an Application Service Provider (ASP) for Microsoft Exchange hosting?
I already use Outlook. Why would I want to use your Microsoft Exchange hosting service?
Our network uses NAT (Network Address Translation). Is this compatible with Williams & Company's Microsoft Exchange hosting service?
Our network is protected by a firewall. Will it work with Williams & Company's Exchange hosting service?
What is needed to set up a Hosted Exchange client?
Is our data protected?
If I accidentally delete a message or folder can I get it back?
Do you scan messages for viruses?
Since you are scanning messages for viruses, do we still need an Anti-virus client on our workstations?
How long does it take to set up an account?
Do we need to transfer our DNS to your control?
Do I need to change my email address to use the hosted Exchange service?
Can we add a new domain name?
Will you perform the data migration and client setup?
What type of Internet connection is needed to support Hosted Exchange?
How reliable is your service?
How much disk space are we allowed with Williams & Company's hosted Exchange service?
What does an additional disk space cost per mailbox?
What happens if we go over our disk quota?
What happens if we have problems setting up our accounts?
Can you assist with any network or system integration?
How long has your company been in business?
What other services does Williams & Company Communications, Inc offer?
What is Microsoft Exchange?
Microsoft Exchange 2003 is the leading messaging and collaboration application. This proven productivity tool will significantly increase business efficiency without having to invest a great deal of valuable time and money. For more information go to:
Overview |
Features/Benefits |
Outsourcing Microsoft Exchange
What is an ASP?
An ASP (otherwise known as Application Service Provider) remotely hosts and manages software applications. In other words, ASPs "rent" software to customers and deliver the application's capabilities to the customer's desktop.
Why do companies use ASPs?
To save time and money that they would otherwise have to spend purchasing, implementing and managing the software and infrastructure themselves. Outsourcing allows companies with limited resources to take advantage of software capabilities and enables them to focus on their core competencies.
What kind of company uses an Application Service Provider (ASP) for Microsoft Exchange hosting?
Exchange 2003 Server is designed to meet the messaging and collaboration needs of businesses of all sizes, from small organizations to large distributed enterprises.
I already use Outlook. Why would I want to use your Microsoft Exchange hosting service?
Outlook by itself offers e-mail, calendar, contact and task management for a single user. When you add an Exchange server your entire company will have access to these features and more. Collaboration tools such as public folders, calendar and scheduling information, task management and contact lists will all be in one centralized location for easier access and sharing. Additionally, you will be able to access this information from a remote location at anytime with an Internet connection.
Our network uses NAT (Network Address Translation). Is this compatible with Williams & Company's Microsoft Exchange hosting service?
Yes, it is compatible. However, we do recommend a registry change to improve performance. This will be provided at no charge.
Our network is protected by a firewall. Will it work with Williams & Company's Exchange hosting service?
Your firewall may need to have specific ports opened in order to connect to our server. We will provide all port information to you.
What is needed to set up a Hosted Exchange client?
You will need a host file to resolve our server name and Outlook will need to be configured for workgroup support. If you do not currently have Outlook, we will provide you with a copy of Outlook 2003.
Is our data protected?
Our servers are backed up to tape daily and we store tapes for 20 days. You also have the option of setting up offline folders, which will keep a copy of all mail on your workstations.
If I accidentally delete a message or folder can I get it back?
Yes. Deleted items are retained for 5 days before permanent deletion. We can restore data from tape backup, however this is a time consuming process. Therefore, we will charge for restoration of any files.
Do you scan messages for viruses?
Yes. All messages are scanned for viruses before they reach our mail server.
Since you are scanning messages for viruses, do we still need an Anti-virus client on our workstations?
Yes, everyone should be running a good updated anti-virus client. We recommend products from Symantec or McAfee, but any good commercial product with daily updates will work fine.
How long does it take to set up an account?
DNS usually takes the longest, as we need to tell the Internet to point your mail to our Exchange servers. If you have control of your MX records, we can set up your Exchange service in about an hour.
Do we need to transfer our DNS to your control?
No, but we prefer to host it and we would do so at no additional cost.
Do I need to change my email address to use the hosted Exchange service?
No, as long as your company has a registered domain name and not something like aol.com or hotmail.com.
Can we add a new domain name?
Yes. All you need to do is let us know. There is no additional charge except for domain name registration if necessary.
Will you perform the data migration and client setup?
Yes. For an additional fee we will provide a dedicated engineer, either remotely or onsite, to manage the entire process. If you are interested in this service, please contact our sales department at 866-765-4041.
What type of Internet connection is needed to support Hosted Exchange?
Your connection to the Internet is critical for any Exchange service. One of the keys is the upload speed. For example many cable and DSL companies offer upload speeds that are much slower than the download speeds. Our dedicated sales engineers can assist in determining if your Internet connection is sufficient for the number of people using the Exchange service.
How reliable is your service?
We make every effort to maximize our service uptimes, including:
- Redundant load-balanced server and network configuration whenever possible
- Daily backups
- Event log monitoring
- Intrusion detection
- Service monitoring
- Anti-virus protection
- All servers are housed in our Network Operations Center
We have regularly achieved 99.9% uptime, excluding scheduling maintenance periods.
How much disk space are we allowed with Williams & Company's hosted Exchange service?
Each mailbox and public folder is allocated 1 gigabyte. If you have 6 mailboxes and one public folder, you can have up to 7 gigabytes without incurring additional charges.
What does an additional disk space cost per mailbox?
$3 per month per 20 megabytes or $50 per month for each 1 gig.
What happens if we go over our disk quota?
If you exceed your disk quota, your email will continue to work as normal, however we will bill you for the overage.
What happens if we have problems setting up our accounts?
We have a technical support line you can call should you have any problems. We will provide telephone support to assist in troubleshooting problems as they arise. General network and advanced Outlook support is not included in your monthly fee and is considered billable. Migration services where we export and import your users mailboxes is available at an additional cost. We will let you know if your request is outside of our included support, prior to you incurring any charges.
Can you assist with any network or system integration?
Yes. Depending on the service needed and hours, rates vary between $75 and $150/hr.
How long has your company been in business?
Williams & Company was founded in 1929, with its roots in the CPA profession. In 1982, Williams & Company began to hire professionals whose backgrounds and expertise were outside the accounting profession and focused toward a variety of business consulting areas: Information Management, Marketing, Human Resources, Environmental Consulting and General Business Consulting. This division is called Williams & Company Consulting, Inc. For more about Williams & Company Consulting, Inc. and our consulting services, visit www.willconsult.com.
Williams & Company Communications was formed to assist clients with their Internet Technology needs. Top Level Media, a wholly owned subsidiary of Williams & Company Communications, Inc., is a leading provider of proven turnkey and custom Internet products and services.
What other services does Williams & Company Communications, Inc offer?
- Williams & Company Communications offers Internet solutions such as website design and development, website hosting, search engine submission services, web management reports and domain registration.
- Top Level Media created Citytab, a full-featured community portal that provides local media with an opportunity to provide a multi-media environment. For more about Top Level Media and Citytab, visit www.toplevelmedia.com.
- Sites In A Click was developed by Top Level Media to assist small to medium sized businesses, independent contractors, start up-businesses and non-profit organizations to develop a web presence with a professional, yet affordable website. For more about our online website builder, please visit www.sitesinaclick.com.
