Need buying advice

[Voo]

I have a small business where the employees are different states. I am
trying to figure out the best solution for improving communication. Here are
the main things I need:
Ability to view and change each others calendars and contacts in Outlook.
Customizable database with ability to link all related documents, emails,
etc to each database entry. (For example, if we had a customer profile, all
emails sent would automatically be logged or attached to the profile, all
documents related to the customer would be attached or linked to the profile)

Office 2003 Pro seems to offer this - but I think you need to have
Sharepoint. Is that correct?
If you get Sharepoint, do you have to have Windows 2003 Server?
If you have to have Windows 2003 Server, do you have to install it on every
computer in the business?

I can afford to buy Office 2003 Pro for 5 people, but not Win 2003 Server,
too!

Please give me some advice.

 

[Anne Troy]

Yes, I believe you'd need Sharepoint to do it EXACTLY as described. You
don't have to BUY Sharepoint, you know...there are plenty of web hosts that
provide it, tho it can get a bit pricy per person. Also, there is Exchange
Server hosts out there too, ranging $7 to $9/person per month. While I can't
really vouch for the service because I tried it for a couple months and
found I didn't use it (testing only, you know), I found these guys to be
VERY customer-service oriented:
http://www.etgroup.net/pages/sharepoint_hosting.aspx and that's an honest
assessment--I'm not friends or related to them!
************
Anne Troy
www.OfficeArticles.com

 

[Chris Schatte]

Hi Voo,
You can do some research here:
http://www.microsoft.com/smallbusiness/online/collaboration-software/sharepoint/introductory.mspx
The Small Business Center is another good place to start:
http://www.microsoft.com/smallbusiness/hub.mspx
You can should also be promted for a chat session, or use the 800# provided.

Chris Schatte

 

[Milly Staples [MVP - Outlook]]

With that many employees, I would certainly look into Small Business Server
with 5 CALs. It provides Exchange, Sharepoint, etc. I would also look into
getting a Volume License for the Office Applications. More can be found
here:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/sbs/default.mspx

Many OEMs offer a bundle of preinstalled Windows 2003 Small Business Server,
starting at very reasonable prices. Contact your favorite vendor or have a
look at their websites to see what configurations are available.

You can probably do the whole thing (SBS, Windows Server, new equipment) for
a pretty small investment, considering it will last you for many years.


--
Milly Staples [MVP - Outlook]

Post all replies to the group to keep the discussion intact. All
unsolicited mail sent to my personal account will be deleted without
reading.

After furious head scratching, Voo asked:

| I have a small business where the employees are different states. I
| am trying to figure out the best solution for improving
| communication. Here are the main things I need:
| Ability to view and change each others calendars and contacts in
| Outlook. Customizable database with ability to link all related
| documents, emails, etc to each database entry. (For example, if we
| had a customer profile, all emails sent would automatically be logged
| or attached to the profile, all documents related to the customer
| would be attached or linked to the profile)
|
| Office 2003 Pro seems to offer this - but I think you need to have
| Sharepoint. Is that correct?
| If you get Sharepoint, do you have to have Windows 2003 Server?
| If you have to have Windows 2003 Server, do you have to install it on
| every computer in the business?
|
| I can afford to buy Office 2003 Pro for 5 people, but not Win 2003
| Server, too!
|
| Please give me some advice.

 

[coloradorocket]

With that many employees, I would certainly look into Small Business Server
with 5 CALs. It provides Exchange, Sharepoint, etc. I would also look into
getting a Volume License for the Office Applications. More can be found
here:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/sbs/default.mspx

Many OEMs offer a bundle of preinstalled Windows 2003 Small Business Server,
starting at very reasonable prices. Contact your favorite vendor or havea
look at their websites to see what configurations are available.

You can probably do the whole thing (SBS, Windows Server, new equipment) for
a pretty small investment, considering it will last you for many years.


--
Milly Staples [MVP - Outlook]

Post all replies to the group to keep the discussion intact. All
unsolicited mail sent to my personal account will be deleted without
reading.

After furious head scratching, Voo asked:

| I have a small business where the employees are different states. I
| am trying to figure out the best solution for improving
| communication. Here are the main things I need:
| Ability to view and change each others calendars and contacts in
| Outlook. Customizable database with ability to link all related
| documents, emails, etc to each database entry. (For example, if we
| had a customer profile, all emails sent would automatically be logged
| or attached to the profile, all documents related to the customer
| would be attached or linked to the profile)
|
| Office 2003 Pro seems to offer this - but I think you need to have
| Sharepoint. Is that correct?
| If you get Sharepoint, do you have to have Windows 2003 Server?
| If you have to have Windows 2003 Server, do you have to install it on
| every computer in the business?
|
| I can afford to buy Office 2003 Pro for 5 people, but not Win 2003
| Server, too!
|
| Please give me some advice.

Actually, if anyone is looking for an all-enclusive collaborative
software program, you should check out iKE Office. It's web-based (can
use either their client or your browser) - both provide remote access.
I believe it also meets all of your needs. They have a demo and trial
download at www.ike.com.

 

[Voo]

Thanks everyone for your answers. I went to a Microsoft Connections event
and was able to ask more questions and see some stuff in action. I was able
to narrow down what we need and it looks like I'll be getting a Dell server
with SBS installed, WinXP Pro upgrade for everyone, and a 3rd party
relational database program for our business needs. Doesn't look like I need
to upgrade from Office XP at this point. I will be using Sharepoint - it
looks awesome.
Voo

With that many employees, I would certainly look into Small Business Server
with 5 CALs. It provides Exchange, Sharepoint, etc. I would also look into
getting a Volume License for the Office Applications. More can be found
here:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/sbs/default.mspx

Many OEMs offer a bundle of preinstalled Windows 2003 Small Business Server,
starting at very reasonable prices. Contact your favorite vendor or have a
look at their websites to see what configurations are available.

You can probably do the whole thing (SBS, Windows Server, new equipment) for
a pretty small investment, considering it will last you for many years.


--Â
Milly Staples [MVP - Outlook]

Post all replies to the group to keep the discussion intact. All
unsolicited mail sent to my personal account will be deleted without
reading.

After furious head scratching, Voo asked:

| I have a small business where the employees are different states. I
| am trying to figure out the best solution for improving
| communication. Here are the main things I need:
| Ability to view and change each others calendars and contacts in
| Outlook. Customizable database with ability to link all related
| documents, emails, etc to each database entry. (For example, if we
| had a customer profile, all emails sent would automatically be logged
| or attached to the profile, all documents related to the customer
| would be attached or linked to the profile)
|
| Office 2003 Pro seems to offer this - but I think you need to have
| Sharepoint. Is that correct?
| If you get Sharepoint, do you have to have Windows 2003 Server?
| If you have to have Windows 2003 Server, do you have to install it on
| every computer in the business?
|
| I can afford to buy Office 2003 Pro for 5 people, but not Win 2003
| Server, too!
|
| Please give me some advice.

Actually, if anyone is looking for an all-enclusive collaborative
software program, you should check out iKE Office. It's web-based (can
use either their client or your browser) - both provide remote access.
I believe it also meets all of your needs. They have a demo and trial
download at www.ike.com.