Hi Steve,
we are the developers of one of the listed programs (Public Sharefolder) so
the question what we recommend can have only one answer ;-),
but here is also a link what ZDNet UK recommend and with a lot of customers
commands:
http://reviews.zdnet.co.uk/software/internet/0,39024168,10004529,00.htm
To recommend a solution is also question about the customer requirement. The
listed "shared" solutions on slipstick are very different in the technology.
Some solutions are email based synchronization programs (like NetFolders)
and with a "large volume" of data (maybe 1 GB as central PST file) and with
10 users, a synchronization via email will take a long time. This sharing
solutions don´t support "live" shared information in your network. All
informations are updated after a synchronization so after an adjusted time
range. Also "newer" information overwrite older information. If 2 users will
change the same item with different information, the "newer" one overwrite
complete the older one and this is an additional risk for shared
information. You will lost information if one user can overwrite another
updated information.
Other programs are based on shared/synchronized access databases. The
access database replaces a PST file.
A benefit of the email based synchronization tools is, that users in
different locations don´t need a VPN connection or a "server" to update a
shared calendar or if only a few people wants to work with a simple
"sharing" solution with small traffik.
Only 2 solutions on the slipstick website can share a PST file "live"
without synchronization. It is a real live access to a shared central PST
file and they are real "Store Provider" like Exchange Server or Lotus Notes.
The don´t synchronize the items, they can write and read into a central PST
file.
Microsoft say that it is not supported to have network PST files, but this
live shared PST tools don´t use a network PST file, because the PST file is
local on the "server" and only the software have a connection over the
network, so this point of Microsoft does not belongs to this tools.
The benefit of our software is that we can share additional PST files. As
one of the largest installation we have a user with 150 clients and 30
central chared PST files and 20GB central store. Try to do this with a
"share" synchronization program.
Another solution is the MSN Hotmail account (Outlook live). This is also a
synchronization solution because you have to sync your information (not
stored in a PST file) to MSN. My meaning is, at first I would never store
our company information over a MSN account and you also have to move all
information in this account to a local PST file to get a local backup. The
benefit of this solution is that you don´t need an Exchange Server and that
you don´t have any parts of administration or to support a server. You will
get a problem if MSN will be not Online or if they would delete your acount.
I hope my meaning was helpfull. What we/I recommend as an alternative to
Exchange for Small Medium Size companies can have only one answer, our
product, but my meaning is not independent. ;-)
--
Oliver
Share Outlook without Exchange: Public ShareFolder
Notebook Synchronisation for Outlook: Public SyncTool
http://www.publicshareware.com
Oliver:
Thanks sooo much for the info! Have you any first hand experience with
any
of your recommendations? Generally when we make a recommendation - it is
rock
solid and I would like us to maintain that track record. What can you
tell
me - my friend?
Regards
Steve
Oliver Vukovics said:
Hi Steve,
On this site is an article on various ways to share Outlook data without
Exchange:
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/assistance/HA011477571033.aspx
--
Oliver Vukovics
Share Outlook without Exchange: Public ShareFolder
Notebook Synchronisation for Outlook: Public SyncTool
http://www.publicshareware.com
im
Newsbeitrag news:
[email protected]...
Hi Milly!
Thanks for the response. Is that they only way to do it? Third party
utils?
Any experience with your recommendations? How well do they work? What
are
your thoughts on running SBS with Exchange? I always hated the idea of
running exchange on the same box with F&P - especially if all they need
is
shared contacts and calendars. Outlook is being popped out to a
third-party
provider for mail, and it works quite well.
Please advise.
Thanks!
:
Take a look here, it may help:
http://www.slipstick.com/outlook/share.htm
--
Milly Staples [MVP - Outlook]
Post all replies to the group to keep the discussion intact. Due to
the (insert latest virus name here) virus, all mail sent to my
personal
account will be deleted without reading.
After furious head scratching, (e-mail address removed) asked:
| With Outlook 2003, is there anyway to share a calendar and contacts
| for a small office of 8 people without running Exchange on their
file
| and print server? I hate the idea of running exchange on the same
| server as F&P.
|
| Thoughts/suggestions/Experiences?
|
| Thanks!!
|
| Steve
