email

Don't Run Your Own Email Server! (Part 3 of 5)

Submitted by admin on Wed, 11/21/2007 - 12:12.

This is part 3 of our 5 part series about email server usage at small and medium sized companies and organizations. We feel they just don't make sense. We have discussed the advent of high-speed and the effects of SPAM in past postings. In this posting, we'll discuss the costs of the hardware and software necessary to make this happen.

Of course, if you want to run your own server, you need a machine that can handle this. The typical server will start as low as $1000 for the hardware, but you will likely add another $1000 in paying for the operating system and the software that processes your mail. This software will need to be updated regularly to make sure it remains secure. Of course, the real expense is that you are paying someone to handle these updates.

If you are lucky: the hardware will last you 3 years with no major down-time or upgrades.

For now, let's ignore the costs of paying people to update things. With the server cost alone, you are looking at $2000 for a 3 year period.

That's more than $50/month without taking maintenance (or interest) into account. It also doesn't take into account the $80/month per employee lost in time wasted by SPAM junkmail. If your staff make more than $10/hr, your costs are higher.

If your organization uses fewer than 50 email accounts, you will have already saved money by getting these email accounts from Green Bay Net. You will have less junkmail, fewer problems, and access to expert assistance if questions arise.