Exchange Server

[Peter]

If I'm at the wrong newsgroup please point me to the
correct one.

I currently run a small four computer network with my
computer's hard drive holding the main files. I currently
use Lotus Organizer 6.1 which allows all users to access
the calendar and make changes. I'm considering switching
over to Outlook 2003 due to the integration of an all in
one package. I'm told I have to go through an Exchange
Server. Can anyone explain to me what an Exchange Server
is, if I install it on my network, how and where I get
it, is it software or hard ware base and is it really
worth switching over from Lotus Organizer?

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

Peter

 

[Brian Tillman]

I currently run a small four computer network with my
computer's hard drive holding the main files. I currently
use Lotus Organizer 6.1 which allows all users to access
the calendar and make changes. I'm considering switching
over to Outlook 2003 due to the integration of an all in
one package. I'm told I have to go through an Exchange
Server.

Or a Small Business Server

Can anyone explain to me what an Exchange Server
is, if I install it on my network, how and where I get
it, is it software or hard ware base and is it really
worth switching over from Lotus Organizer?

Exchange is a software application that acts as a message store for all mail
recipients, centralizing where all Outlook data is kept for everyone. You
purchase it from Microsoft or a Microsoft software partner. It's VERY
EXPENSIVE. Small Business Server accomplishes the same this and is more
affordable but not as scalable (or at least that's my impression).