Apptix Hosted Exchange Service
Apptix is banking on the fact that, by adding new capabilities to its existing hosting suite such as online backup and recovery services through its Mozy resale deal with EMC, the company will be able to continue on its aggressive growth path. (3/6/2009)

AT&T Hosted Messaging
AT&T differentiates its hosted mail service around security and other enterprise-class features, but it is the attractive price point that might hold the strongest appeal to customers in the midst of the global economic crisis. (3/9/2009)

Google Apps Premier Edition
Google Apps Premier Edition integrates real-time communications and collaboration services with hosted messaging in a SaaS offering that will challenge the industry. More attention to offering enterprise-class SLAs would make it stronger still. (3/5/2008)

Microsoft Exchange Online
Microsoft continues to make progress in embracing a hosted delivery model for Exchange, but the company faces serious challenges as rivals, including Google, continue to shake up the hosted messaging market. (3/9/2009)

NaviSite Hosted Exchange and Hosted Notes Services
NaviSite is looking to be a greater force in an increasingly heated hosted messaging market. The provider hopes to convert stronger 2008 earnings and a high profile managed messaging win of Hyatt Hotels into positive future momentum. (8/4/2008)

Symantec Hosted Mail Security
Symantec’s hosted mail solution maintains its security focus, leaving the other messaging administration duties to customers who prefer to manage their systems internally. (7/31/2008)

Verizon Business Hosted Messaging for Microsoft Exchange
Verizon Business uses hosted messaging as a lynchpin for its broader unified communications and collaboration suite. The provider continues to enhance its offer, adding support for OCS 2007 R2, increasing mailbox size and dropping the price. (3/20/2009)

Top

Report Contents

• Current Perspective Rating
• Product Strengths & Weaknesses
• Product Buying Criteria
• Product Metrics

Top

Hosted Messaging Buying Criteria

• Supplemental Services
  • Many providers differentiate themselves by providing services and support beyond hosted messaging packages. These supplemental offerings include migration services, Active Directory Design and Implementation, and other managed application services.
• Pricing Structure
  • While providers typically offer a per seat charge, additional services such as extra storage will add to that cost. Also, contractual term lengths vary by provider.
• Service Level Guarantees
  • Specific contractual guarantees around availability percentages; may include standard and elevated premium availability guarantees.
• Security/Compliance
  • Measures to block e-mail-borne malicious code from the enterprise and to comply with industry, government, and legal requirements. These include e-mail threat prevention; messaging archiving and retrieval.
• Core Capabilities
  • The elements of the hosted messaging service that provide the foundation for the solution. These include e-mail and IM platforms supported, infrastructure resources, basic features/options, administrative functionality, and disaster recovery capabilities.

Top

Hosted Messaging Product Metrics

• Hosted Support
  • E-mail Platforms Supported
  • IM Platforms Supported
  • Hosting Plans
  • Client Access Options
  • Mobile Client Access Options
  • Webmail Access
  • Mailbox Size Options
• Infrastructure
  • Data Centers
  • E-mail Backup/Restoration
  • Availability/Disaster Recovery Capabilities
  • Facility Security
  • Service Level Agreements
  • Pricing
• Functionality
  • Public Folders/Calendar
  • Address Book Functionality
  • Task Management
  • Fax to e-mail services
  • Custom Client Branding
• Administration
  • Subscriber Provisioning and Management
  • Configuration Wizard
  • End User Security Settings
  • Remote Password Administration
  • End User Administration
• Security/Compliance Capabilities
  • E-mail Threat Prevention
  • Content Security
  • Message Archiving/Retrieval
• Other
  • On Customer Premises Managed E-mail Option
  • Additional Features/Options
  • Additional Hosted Application Services
  • Partner Relationships
  • Channel Partners