Get Exchange-like functionality without a server

markwombat · 22 Jun 2010 at 10:23

Hi everyone,

I have my own domain, which I use primarily for my emails. It's a basic hosting package that I have with limited frills.

Anyway, until now I've used Outlook + POP for my emails. However, I am now looking for something more. Ideally, webmail (which is available through my hosting but it's rather primitive), a central calendar system, and ultimately the ability to have a "live" copy of my inbox, calendar and contacts that I can get using my phone (HTC Touch HD).

So, do online exchange solutions exist? I've seen Google let you tie a domain to them, and then use Gmail for everything, is this any good?

Many thanks in advance

wij · 22 Jun 2010 at 10:36

Hosted exchange starting from circa £10 / month, or Google Apps take your pick.

edscdk · 22 Jun 2010 at 10:40

wij said:
Hosted exchange starting from circa £10 / month, or Google Apps take your pick.

i second that, 1 and 1 do packages from £6 a month i think... google apps is about £35 a year

markwombat · 22 Jun 2010 at 10:50

Brilliant, just what I was after. Many thanks.

ecksmen · 22 Jun 2010 at 12:52

edscdk said:
i second that, 1 and 1 do packages from £6 a month i think... google apps is about £35 a year

I don't pay anything for google apps - I forward my domains mx records to them but it is ad supported on the side. I can live with that.

markwombat · 22 Jun 2010 at 17:29

ecksmen said:
I don't pay anything for google apps - I forward my domains mx records to them but it is ad supported on the side. I can live with that.

Does the free version allow for use with Outlook and Windows Mobile devices?

wesley · 22 Jun 2010 at 17:44

outlook work just fine with free gmail or are you talking about outlook webmail?

markwombat · 22 Jun 2010 at 18:51

wesley said:
outlook work just fine with free gmail or are you talking about outlook webmail?

No, I'm happy to use the Gmail web interface, but I require full Outlook functionality (emails, contacts, calendars etc) on my main system. Does Google allow me to do all of that? - So that if I'm out on the road, add a new contact to my phone, it automatically updates my contact book on my Outlook system (like happens via Exchange at the moment).

iraiguana · 22 Jun 2010 at 19:15

I have a htc magic and it does the above, as does my friends Iphone. If you are able to sync the calender/address book/email then they will work across all platforms.

markwombat · 30 Jun 2010 at 15:15

Just to say that I've migrated my domain email to Google Apps this morning and everything went nice and smoothly. Very pleased with the results. Thank you for everyone's help.