SlashTCO.com: Mailserver solutions – Open Source vs Proprietary

[ Thanks to Russ
Foster for this link. ]

“Like most things, Microsoft’s Exchange mail server has its
advocates and its critics. For those who fall into the latter
category, one alternative is to run a Linux/Open Source mailserver.
The most obvious advantage of doing this is the cost savings
involved; an Exchange server software with 5 Client Access Licences
(CALs) will cost 879.35 + hardware costs, whereas the cost of an
Open Source mailserver solution amounts to the value of the
hardware upon which it runs.”

“Current users of Exchange may concede the point when the cost
argument is raised, but their next questions will invariably be
“Can Open Source mailservers do what Exchange can?” and “Are they
scalable?”

“There are many functions provided by Exchange that are not
available with Open Source mailservers, one example of which is the
groupware functionality. Although efforts are being made in this
area, the Open Source world does not currently provide an
alternative that offers the same level of usability, integration
and functionality as Lotus and Microsoft. Therefore, if a company
requires a mailserver with groupware functionality, Lotus Notes or
MS Exchange – whilst costly – would probably be the best
solution.”

Complete
Story