Technology in Architectural Practice

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  • 1.  Email alternative to Gmail

    Posted 07-05-2013 05:02 PM
    We are eight person and firm we were switched from Outlook to Gmail several years ago because our computer consultant said that Goggle was wonderful.  I was promised that I could still use the Outlook at the office to use my Gmail.  It used to work but slowly has lost more and more function and now it just does not work.  I am ready to dump Gmail.  
    Are there some good alternatives that work well for architectural practice? If there is a tread I should look for please let me know.
    Thank you

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    Robert Carlson AIA
    Principal
    Carlson Design Team PC
    Iowa City IA
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  • 2.  RE:Email alternative to Gmail

    Posted 07-08-2013 06:12 PM

    Our office is pretty much paperless, everything is cloud based. We mainly use Gmail via the web browser. If someone using a PC really wanted an application installed on their desktop/laptop, we use eM Client (for Mac users, we use Thunderbird) eM Client can sync Gmail contacts and calendar as well. It has a similar user interface as Outlook.

    I gave up on Outlook long ago, it uses too much computer resources and slows the computer.

    If you still want to use Outlook, ask your ISP if they offer exchange servers for your mail. Might cost more though.



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    Nguyen Nguyen Assoc. AIA
    Chicago IL
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  • 3.  RE:Email alternative to Gmail

    Posted 07-09-2013 08:27 PM
    With Virtual servers it has gotten cheaper on the over all equipment costs making it easier to host your own exchange for Outlook. You basically run multiple servers on 1 or 2 physical servers. And with a Microsoft Small Business Volume Licensing agreement you can save on your server software and desktop software.

    http://www.microsoft.com/licensing/licensing-programs/licensing-programs.aspx

    If you are looking to upgrade your "file server" any time soon this would be a perfect time to switch back over to Windows Exchange, if not you can find used servers that still have years of lifetime for a really low cost and load Exchange on that. Either way make sure you first have VMware or Windows Hyper-V loaded then install your Exchange server onto that. With the Virtual server you can also expand easier adding more 1U rackmount servers as processing demand goes up and a SAN or NAS as more data storage is needed.

    The drawback with the over-hyped "Cloud" is that you need to greatly increase your bandwidth with your ISP and you're still limited on upload speeds (the part your ISP never tells you). On top of that you're at the mercy of additional connections to keep your business up and running.

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    Matt Bierschied Assoc. AIA
    Project Manager/ Senior BIM Coordinator
    Jacksonville Beach FL
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