Using an Exchange environment, can I allow specific users to manage mail, contacts, etc. through Gmail?
Sorry about the tricky title... and if this has already been answered, I apologize as I am struggling to find the answer.
Here's what I'm trying to do... I have 90% of my organization using Outlook on desktops in an Exchange environment like any business might do. However, I have a few users (4-6 people) that do not work from the office or on company owned machines. They currently use OWA to do email, contacts, etc. The OWA environment is very clunky to me. Is there a way for these few users to use a gmail or Google apps type environment to do their mail, contacts, etc? I need all mail to still be handled through my Exchange server (they need the same @mydomain.com addresses everyone else has) and I'd like to be able to manage (from an IT POV) the Google Apps/gmail accounts. The bottom line is I'm looking for a better user environment than OWA can provide. Thanks for thoughts/help.
Here's what I'm trying to do... I have 90% of my organization using Outlook on desktops in an Exchange environment like any business might do. However, I have a few users (4-6 people) that do not work from the office or on company owned machines. They currently use OWA to do email, contacts, etc. The OWA environment is very clunky to me. Is there a way for these few users to use a gmail or Google apps type environment to do their mail, contacts, etc? I need all mail to still be handled through my Exchange server (they need the same @mydomain.com addresses everyone else has) and I'd like to be able to manage (from an IT POV) the Google Apps/gmail accounts. The bottom line is I'm looking for a better user environment than OWA can provide. Thanks for thoughts/help.
JohnGrunwell
Have them use office outlook with the exchange option for outside to company. This is what my users use from home. What version of exchange are you using?
Clients that are not on domain joined machines but have an appropriate version of outlook installed can still use outlook to connect to a corporate exchange server using outlook anywhere.
ASKER
Using Exchange 2003 with SBS2003. Will likely be moving to SBS2011 next year. Unfortunately, I can't give them Outlook for their personal PCs. That's why I'm looking for a web-based solution. Like I said, if OWA wasn't so clunky, I'd be fine with that. And maybe that's really the best i can do... that's why I'm asking.
exchange uses proprietary protocol mapi/rpc only outlook clients are going to be able to fully access the mailbox.
All other open source/other servers and programs (such as DAVmail or thunderbird) are interfacing through OWA so really no difference for you there. Sorry
All other open source/other servers and programs (such as DAVmail or thunderbird) are interfacing through OWA so really no difference for you there. Sorry
Have you looked at imap access from the google account to the exchange server?
ASKER
Do you mean pulling the mail off of the server and into Google through imap? I thought Gmail only pulled through pop. I guess if these accounts don't need to ever be used in outlook, I could just setup a gmail account and pop the mail.
If you sign up for GA for Business, you can setup dual delivery. Google message continuity is also an option, but has a few limitations.
Feel free to contact me to run through the details.
Feel free to contact me to run through the details.
ASKER
allenfalcon: Tell me more!
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Looks like both of the best solutions require me to use Google Messaging Security. While I'm not sure I'm ready to go that way, they do look like viable options for the future. Thanks for the help.