E-mail environment is entering the era of 2.0 New service: GMO-HS iSLE Exchange service

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Far from ISDN, broadband lines are now commonplace for lines that were mainly analog telephone lines, and it is evaluated that "Japan has become one of the world's leading countries where broadband can be used at low cost."

The email environment hasn't changed much since 10 years ago

Websites have also evolved significantly, and there are many sites that have adopted video and audio from pages that simply line up characters. Moreover, the method of utilization has changed significantly. As the keyword "Web 2.0" represents, websites are more than just a place to get information, they are now a place to connect new businesses.

However, the email environment has hardly changed since the dawn. It goes without saying that e-mail was the motivation for introducing the Internet, regardless of whether it was a corporation or an individual, and is now an indispensable means of communication. However, from the perspective of "evolution", there is almost no change from the dawn. At best, the progress of broadband has made it possible to send large-volume emails, and it has become possible to send and receive HTML emails without any problems.

The hosting service iSLE provided by GMO Hosting & Security provides a hosting service "Exchange service" that improves the mail function with the meaning of throwing a stone in such a situation. Let's introduce this service that supports the latest smartphones and allows you to access company information in the same way whether you are inside or outside the company.

What is an e-mail environment with unprecedented convenience?

The Exchange service has the basic functions included in a general mail service and the unique functions unique to this service.

Basic functions include virus removal, sending and receiving emails using standard sending and receiving protocols such as POP / IMAP, SSL encryption, forwarding email addresses, automatic reply emails, and the use of mailing lists.

The "Exchange system" can access the same mail system from a PC, mobile phone, or smartphone (Windows Mobile-equipped model such as WILLCOM W-ZERO3).For this reason, the history of sending and receiving emails and flag settings such as "important" are also retained when specified on each device, and work can be shared across multiple platforms.

Unique functions include a schedule sharing function that allows you to use email as groupware, an address book sharing function, and a public folder function that allows members to share files and emails. In addition, there is a Web mail function that allows you to access internal information both inside and outside the company, and a function that allows you to easily synchronize data using a smartphone.

However, just listing the features in this way will not give you a clear idea of ​​what benefits this service will bring to your users. Therefore, to Mr. Kei Hiramatsu of GMO Hosting & Security Isle Business Headquarters and Shared Server Business Department MS Group, who is in charge of this service and uses this service by himself, how can the mail environment be improved by using this service? I was asked if it would evolve.

"First of all, I feel that this is convenient every day when I work from home. By using Webmail called Outlook Web Access, I can work in the same state on my home PC or laptop PC on the go. You can access the information "(Mr. Hiramatsu)

In the past, when using company email at home, it was necessary to carry the necessary email data to the home PC. However, emails may also contain sensitive information that is critical to the enterprise. It is not preferable for security reasons that mail data is left on a PC that is carried outside the company. Therefore, more and more companies are using Webmail as well as Exchange services.

"Usually, in a POP mail environment, the work status is not reflected on the company's mail server. When you return to the company and access the mail server, even if you read the mail using a notebook PC outside the company, you will receive it as unread mail. Therefore, you have to re-identify and work on the mail that you have already processed. However, with Outlook Web Access, the work done on the web mail is reflected properly, so many times. You don't have to identify the emails. I think it's a big advantage for people who need to process a lot of emails. "(Mr. Hiramatsu)

Moreover, as introduced earlier, the work can be performed without leaving data on the client device, which has the advantage of reducing the risk of information leakage. In addition to convenience, it may be worth considering for companies that want to "get rid of information leakage accidents via client devices!".

It is possible to make full use of the functions of smartphones

Along with Webmail, Mr. Hiramatsu asserts that "the time required for mail processing will be significantly reduced" is the cooperation with smartphones.

Smartphones that were popular in the United States have begun to spread in Japan. However, from the point of view of how to use it, the reality is that it is not out of the range of mobile phones. The link between Exchange services and smartphones will make a big difference.

You can email with confidence even when you are out

Nowadays, it's no longer common to forward company emails to your cell phone. However, like the POP mail environment, this is just data transfer.

In contrast, the Exchange service offers the ability to wirelessly update email, calendar, work, and contact information even if you can't access your PC using ActiveSync. It's easy to synchronize your company's data with the latest mobile devices without the need for complicated settings.

"It is a convenient function for busy daily life to be able to access company information using the communication line of a smartphone without having to open the PC on the go. For example, you can access company email at a subway station and take a train. You can write a reply with and send a reply when you get off the train. If you use it by forwarding an email to your mobile phone, even if you reply, it will only be from your mobile phone. You can only reply. On the other hand, with our service, even if the actual work is done from a smartphone, you can reply from an in-house email. "(Mr. Hiramatsu)

Small devices such as mobile phones and smartphones tend to have troubles such as being inadvertently lost. However, even in that case, the data remains on the server side, so even if you replace your smartphone with a new one, if you synchronize with ActiveSync, the data set in-house will be synchronized to the new mobile as it is. You don't have to fall into the situation of "I lost my cell phone and lost the data inside."

"By using the data on the server to do the work without depending on the device such as a PC or smartphone, the usage of email will change drastically. If you are a heavy user of email, it is convenient. You may feel that, "Hiramatsu points out.

This ease of use can only be felt by actually using email. It may not be a flashy function, but the improvement in usability is probably the new way to use email, which should be called "Email 2.0", which has never been seen in previous emails.

Prepared transfer type setting function that other hosting companies do not have

This service is realized because Microsoft's Exchange Server is used as the server. Needless to say, Exchange Server is a well-established product for enterprise mail server systems.

Using Exchange Server has the great advantage of being able to use it as a groupware, such as sharing schedules via the mail client Outlook that you are accustomed to using on a daily basis.

"Moreover, the Outlook interface is also used for linking with Webmail and smartphones. For users who use email heavily, it is possible to work with the same interface without having to learn how to operate the new software. Thank you, "says Mr. Hiramatsu, who emphasizes the merits of being a user.

Moreover, this service has unique features. Like Isle, there are many operators that offer hosting services using Exchange Server. However, Isle's service has great advantages that other companies do not have.

"It seems that many corporate users are attracted to the features of Exchange Server and are considering deploying it. However, it is the domain that they were using until then that hesitates to actually deploy it. , It seems that many users are worried that there will be no trouble when migrating to the Exchange domain. Therefore, we can automatically forward the conventional POP mail so that the Exchange service can be used immediately. We have prepared "Settings" "(Mr. Hiramatsu)

This function automatically forwards the POP mail that has been used up to that point to the Exchange service, so that while using the Exchange function functionally, the domain that has been used up to that point can be used as it is. Therefore, there is no need to acquire a new domain or modify the DNS. On the aisle side of GMO-HS, a function to automatically convert the automatically forwarded mail is added, so even if the mail is replied by Exchange, the From address can be the same as the address that has been used so far. ..

Moreover, since it can be used from one e-mail address, it can be used such as introducing the Exchange service only to managers and sales staff who often see e-mails from outside the company.

"Since it can be used from one email address, it is possible for not only companies but also individuals who have set up a mail server to use this service. It is difficult to build an Exchange Server individually. , There are many functions that are personally beneficial, such as linking with smartphones. Those who have given up on the introduction will be able to fully enjoy the benefits of Exchange by using our services. "(Mr. Hiramatsu)

Realized reduction of running cost in addition to reduction of initial investment cost

Then, what is the cost of actually introducing it? In the minimum plan, the initial setting fee is 3150 yen, the monthly usage fee for a one-month contract is 1575 yen, and the disk capacity starts from 120MB. The contract period can be selected according to the user's situation, such as a 6-month contract or a 12-month contract. Regarding the disk capacity, it is also possible to consult about increasing the capacity.

Since you can make a contract with one e-mail address, as mentioned earlier, it can be used by some companies or individuals.

"In addition to the basic functions introduced this time, you can also use it by additionally introducing a file server SharePoint file sharing and management service to make effective use of Microsoft Office. For small and medium-sized enterprises, there is also a need to review the IT infrastructure. I would like to respond, "says Mr. Hiramatsu.

Certainly, this service copies the data on the server side and stores it for a certain period of time. It's also very convenient for companies that are considering storing email as an archive.

"The advantage of introducing hosting is that it eliminates the need for server management and the need for specialized knowledge and consideration such as redundancy settings. With the Exchange service introduced this time, the usage of email is changed and the advantage of the hosting service is It will eliminate the trouble of managing a certain IT infrastructure. It is a plan that small and medium-sized enterprise users who are thinking about reviewing the mail system should definitely consider it. "(Mr. Hiramatsu)

Compared in terms of cost, the initial investment cost will be significantly reduced, and the running cost for operation will also be reduced. If you are a company considering improving the usability of email and strengthening the entire system, this service is definitely worth considering.

White paper download

Information sharing is also realized at the same time, access from anywhere & secure email environment

A fusion of email services that are strong in security and mobile use, and groupware with powerful information sharing functions. That is the collaboration "Exchange service" between Microsoft and Isle.

A fusion of email services that are strong against security and mobile use, and groupware with powerful information sharing functions. That is the "Exchange service". Developed on the basis of Microsoft's latest technology, Exchange services provide strong integration with Windows OS and Office applications. It is rapidly expanding its market share among companies seeking to improve their traditional email environment and internal workflows.

If you want to make your email environment more comfortable and streamline information sharing within your company, the Exchange service is an effective solution. It is also ideal for companies that are suffering from problems such as "I want to introduce Exchange but the cost is high" and "It is too burdensome to operate the Exchange server in-house". When introducing it, it is possible to apply for each account, and the number of accounts can be increased or decreased arbitrarily according to the usage situation, so it is possible to use it at low cost without waste.

Available at the TechTarget Japan White Paper Download Center.

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