3 different types of e-mail solutions may be chosen when it comes to determining what e-mail address is right for you. The email solutions are:
1. POP3 (i.e www.godaddy.com)
2. Outsourced Exchange (i.e. www.Intermedia.net)
3. Microsoft Exchange (in-house exchange e-mail solution)
1. POP3
The POP3 e-mail accounts are hosted by an external web site or host. 
Essentially, e-mails are directed to the email host that allots restricted space to the email account(s). Then, it re-directs the e-mails to the e-mail users’ email software. From Outlook or Entourage, e-mails may be received and sent. POP3 is a good way to easily set up e-mail accounts for home or small office users without any added functionality. However, the outsourced email host does not provide a way to share folders or backup internal files.
POP3 negatives:
-inability to share contacts, calendars, and e-mails
-limited capacity and attachment size restrictions
-no control
2. Outsourced Exchange
The benefit to this is there is no need to purchase hardware or software for setting up Microsoft Exchange. This service would be hosted by an Exchange provider and is charged monthly. The monthly charge is approximately $15 – $25 / month (i.e. www.Intermedia.net) for each e-mail account. All the collaborative features through Exchange are provided as well as anti-virus and anti-spam software. This is a good solution for companies on a restricted budget.
Key benefits are:
-only monthly charges apply (free software upgrades, licensing, and hardware)
-hardware and software are supported
–Anti-spam & anti-virus are supported and blacklisting is prioritized
-Contacts, calendaring, and e-mails are shareable with an additional fee
Key negatives:
-no dedicated back-up
-limited capacity and attachment size restrictions
-less control and customization than in-house exchange – usually have to submit email requests or wait for changes to take effect after several hours of updating
3. Microsoft Exchange – In-house email
Microsoft Exchange provides the most by allowing sharing of contacts, calendars, appointments, meeting rooms, public folders, and e-mails the way you like whenever you like. It also allows for the most flexibility of storage, access rights, rules, and scalability. Exchange offers an ideal solution for users who need to share and communicate for daily operations
.
The most stable, scaleable solution with the most control is to set up a server hosting Microsoft Exchange. This will allow a company the ability to customize all of the e-mail accounts for sharing. Also, webmail and other features will be included. In order to host Exchange, a physical server and software licensing must be purchased.
Key benefits:
-total flexibility and control (i.e. unlimited storage)
-faster e-mail support
-automated e-mail file back-ups
-can share contacts, calendars, and e-mails
-can use webmail via Exchange outside of office
-added functionality of Windows server
Key negatives:
-Need solid anti-spam and anti-virus software to prevent blacklisting and viruses
-Need good back-up to save files in case of server downtime
-Speed of accessing emails are as good as the server / Internet speed
