Cost effective way to introduce OWA?

Bleek · 15 Jan 2010 at 15:32

What would be the best method of installing Outlook Web Access from a home office, obviously using a static IP (Business Broadband).

Win 2008 with built-in ISA firewall (software) on a cheap tower server?

I've never installed OWA before so is there anything I should look out for, requirements and caveats?

dmsims · 15 Jan 2010 at 15:38

You need to do lots of config work on the OWA box - MS website for docs.

Would Logmein or similar not work ?

rainbow6six · 15 Jan 2010 at 15:40

OWA is standard with an exchange environment isn't it? So if you have Exchange then you have OWA all redy to go? You will need to setup internal SSL certs for OWA and you will also need to aquire a certificate from an authority to secure comms over the internet.

Bleek · 15 Jan 2010 at 15:44

dmsims said:
You need to do lots of config work on the OWA box - MS website for docs.

Would Logmein or similar not work ?

Well I only really know Exchange but if you have other suggestions that are simpler and just as usable (familiar front end etc) then please let me know.

JonnyT · 15 Jan 2010 at 16:51

OWA will need Exchange and not just Windows Server. Probably best to look at SBS2008 as this has both Exchange 2007 and WS 2008 bundled together with lots of Wizards for easy management and configuration.

ruffneck · 15 Jan 2010 at 17:03

pay for a hosted exchange solution

J.B · 15 Jan 2010 at 17:20

ruffneck said:
pay for a hosted exchange solution

This is probably the easiest solution but no where near as fun.

OWA is standard with exchange so if you can install exchange in a domain environment you are pretty much there.

Yamahahahahaha · 15 Jan 2010 at 17:20

Another vote for paying for a hosted exchange solution.

How big is the company, how many users?

dave-lew99 · 15 Jan 2010 at 18:26

Probably looking at the best part of £1k for a cheap tower server and SBS2008 with CALS, compared to services i've seen at around £5/month/user. Plus you don't have the headache of config, patching, security etc, and hopefully some gurentee of uptime from a DC

iaind · 15 Jan 2010 at 21:04

If by "home office" you mean one or 2 users, there's not going to be a way to do it cost effectively - the cost of hardware and software will be way, way in excess of a hosted solution, would take you a long time to break even

Xez · 15 Jan 2010 at 22:11

rainbow6six said:
OWA is standard with an exchange environment isn't it? So if you have Exchange then you have OWA all redy to go? You will need to setup internal SSL certs for OWA and you will also need to aquire a certificate from an authority to secure comms over the internet.

Depends, by the sounds of it it will only be used by employees. No need for a proper authorised certificate. Just adds to the cost. A standard domain certificate would do in this situation if it's only for employee's...

m4cc45 · 16 Jan 2010 at 11:00

Could buy Microsoft Small Business Server - comes with 5 CAL's - not sure on the price but it's cheaper than buying Windows and Exchange. It would also give you OWA.

You don't need ISA - you just need to port forward whatever port you have OWA running on in the firewall.

M.

Bleek · 16 Jan 2010 at 11:41

5 users is currently about the size required, all remote workers.

I'll take a look at the hosted option, might just take the simple route!

J.B · 16 Jan 2010 at 18:56

Also instead of OWA you could just use Outlook Anywhere, I dont really like the web interface.