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Health & Fitness

Email solutions: POP, IMAP, and Microsoft Exchange

Which type of email system is right for you and your business or organization? There are many different protocols for the handling of email today. Basic web based email utilizes what's known as the POP account, or IMAP account, depending on the client's preferences. POP account means Post Office Protocol, and is the most basic way email is handled. This configuration allows an end user to log into their email, check new messages, archive and delete single or multiple messages. This happens on a one to one basis, and each time a user logs into this type of email all settings and messages are saved instantly. An IMAP account, which stands for Internet Message Access Protocol, stores emails remotely, and has a set level of organizational folders across the board. This means that if an email account is to be set up on multiple email clients across multiple computers, the end user, when logged in, can make changes that remain constant across all user nodes. This is useful if up to date and constant message proliferation is a must. Good for offices with many users and heavy reliance on email, as well as needed portability options. These standards are what drive email for the majority of users. The next level is Microsoft Exchange.

 

Microsoft Exchange email is a system tied in to a private domain. If a company has its own website and domain, exchange email offers an in house solution for email administration. This means a company must administer to a server, but aside from these costs initially the workflow of a companies employee base across multiple areas is helped immensely. Users email is stored on site, and backed up on site, which helps with data security. These users also have built in quick access to their associates, and a constantly updating email message, attachment, and contact database. Email addresses can be edited at will as well, and from within the server console, an onsite computer repair technician can help route messages and other media quickly and securely all around the company user base. In addition, these systems can be tied into the company custom domain, and any other VPN system that may exist. For medium to large companies, an Exchange server and email database is the easiest and most powerful tool to bring together all walks of the business. It is almost infinitely expandable, depending on the budget, and because the system is usually based from a flagship server location, repairs that would usually span multiple ares can be performed directly and on site.

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