| Kerio Connect or Exchange 2013 [message #105778] |
Sat, 24 August 2013 16:11  |
Gabor
Messages: 6
Registered: August 2013
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Hello,
I have an Exchange 2003 Server running in a company (customer) with 130 users. For known reasons in 2014 I´ll have to change to another mail server. I´m thinking about migrating to Kerio Connect or Exchange 2013. They are using all Outlook versions from 2003 to 2013 and Windows completely. Additionally they have some mobile devices like iPhones and Androids as well.
I have several customers using Kerio so far, but only in small businesses with max. 15-20 users. I´m using Kerio Connect for a while and I appreciate the ease of using and administrating it. But I´m not sure if I should change from Exchange to Kerio in that case.
Can anyone give advice? What are your experiences of migrating to Kerio? I need some add-ons like "personalized disclaimers) as well.
Thanks
Gabor
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| Re: Kerio Connect or Exchange 2013 [message #105784 is a reply to message #105778] |
Sun, 25 August 2013 11:29  |
mwd
Messages: 49
Registered: March 2011
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Well it depends on what you require.
Outlook 2003 doesn't work with Exchange 2013, so you would need to upgrade these clients.
I like Exchange as it doesn't require the Kerio Connector (which can be a pain).
There are reasons for using both systems.
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| Re: Kerio Connect or Exchange 2013 [message #105787 is a reply to message #105784] |
Sun, 25 August 2013 16:54 |
KursadOlmez
Messages: 25
Registered: December 2006
Location: Ankara - Turkiye
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Hello Gabor,
I personally vote for Kerio Connect.
- The most important advantage for me that I can install in-place upgrades (Minor to Major) with Connect. While upgrading Connect there is no need to install a seperate Windows Server/Mail Server and migrate users/mailboxes and databases from old to new one.
- You don't need to pay for Windows Server and CAL license to run Connect. You may use Linux and VM ready versions.
- Using, setting up and upgrading (for new version upgrades) Kerio Outlook Connector is much more easy than Outlook Anywhere.
I am sure Kerio Connect can handle 130 (and more) users with Linux VM.
IMHO, if I don't need BB Enterprise Server than I definitely choose Kerio Connect.
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| Re: Kerio Connect or Exchange 2013 [message #105788 is a reply to message #105778] |
Sun, 25 August 2013 19:07 |
Gabor
Messages: 6
Registered: August 2013
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Thanks for your opinions, guys.
@mwd:
I haven´t had any problems with Kerio Connector so far. I had some performance issues in previous versions like 7.x but nothing serious.
@KursadOlmez:
I agree with your arguments. I also like the way kerio connect is working on different platforms with no need of having additional CALs.
Actually I´m looking for someone, who is using kerio connect with more than 100 users and outlook as client and can report his experiences.
Thanks
Gabor
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| Re: Kerio Connect or Exchange 2013 [message #105811 is a reply to message #105788] |
Mon, 26 August 2013 16:23 |
Max_Fontana
Messages: 2
Registered: August 2008
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I've been using kerio connect with 120 mailboxes since 2008 on a very old centos distro and no problems so far. For a while also connected to a BESX server through the connector and again no probs! Clients are windows outlook 2007 or 2010.
Max
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| Re: Kerio Connect or Exchange 2013 [message #105842 is a reply to message #105778] |
Tue, 27 August 2013 11:39 |
Maerad
Messages: 275
Registered: August 2013
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I can't speak for the "how it runs", but here are my reasons, why I want to change to kerio from sbs 2011:
Exchnage:
1. Exchange is good, but damn hard to config. It's not that bad to get it to work, but to secure it etc. the right way. Don't forget it's a unified server for VoiP, Fax, Mail, and many more, possible services. And it can run from a 1-Person-Company to a global 25000 one, with multiple sides, caches, disaster rec. etc. That's WHY it is so damn complex.
2. Because of the above reason, it's hard to find someone who can administrate it with you - espacially in a small company.
3. Exchange is very resource hungry
4. Exchange is expensive! Not only you need the server, CALs, Premium Cals for special services etc., you also should get them as open license with sa (otherwise it gets even more expensive with updates) and to license it the right way can be a pain in the ass.
Kerio:
1. Easy to Administrate, even for a "not-IT" employee. At least creating a mailbox or do a mail reroute.
2. NO Outlook required and still all functions with their client. If your infrastructure allows it, you could only use their client and libreoffice instead of ms office. Even better on a RDP-System, because here you need an office licence for every pc connecting to it.
3. All mobile CLients can be linked and secure Functions can be enforced (like pin and wipe)
4. Included Sync and Antivirus/Spam - no external Products required. For exchange you need to buy something from a third party.
5. Fast, easy-to-read logs etc.
6. Independent from Microsoft, can run on multiple OS > Better for the future.
Those were MY reasons and don't get me wrong - exchange isn't bad. It has it's uses and target in the market, but without the SBS, honestly, any company with around 150 mailboxes really doesn't need a full exchange system.
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| Re: Kerio Connect or Exchange 2013 [message #105850 is a reply to message #105842] |
Tue, 27 August 2013 13:48 |
Gabor
Messages: 6
Registered: August 2013
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Thanks for your detailed reply, Maerad.
Well it sounds good for Kerio.
Please correct me if I´m wrong, the only thing that I´m afraid is that there are less addons for Kerio and maybe less support as well. I mean there are less experts out there who are able to help except this forum certainly. 
Additionally it is hard to realize a real test without migrating into productive environment but this also applies to exchange.
Gabor
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| Re: Kerio Connect or Exchange 2013 [message #105859 is a reply to message #105850] |
Tue, 27 August 2013 15:58 |
miker49735
Messages: 1
Registered: March 2013
Location: Michigan
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Gabor,
I think you will find many experts in the Forum willing to lend assistance. Also there are numerous Kerio Partners able to provide "expert assistance" as well.
Use the Kerio Locator to find a Distributor / Partner in your area.
Good luck.
Mike R.
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| Re: Kerio Connect or Exchange 2013 [message #105873 is a reply to message #105778] |
Tue, 27 August 2013 17:20 |
McIrish
Messages: 254
Registered: October 2011
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I went from Exchange 2003 to Kerio Connect a couple years ago. I now have over 200 users on it. It's working well on a Windows 2008 R2 virtual machine. Migrating from Exchange was pretty simple. I wouldn't worry about that part at all. Migrating from Kerio is a totally different story (which I hope to avoid). The administration of Kerio is a breeze. They use a flat file system so even in the case of a huge catastrophe, its easy to move the data over to a new server and get it up and running quickly. The only thing that bit me was Blackberry support. That's a non-issue now but was a huge nightmare when we had Blackberry devices on a BES server.
I have found Kerio to be pretty responsive to my need for help. The program is so simple that I rarely have to ask for help. The forums are also a great place to get some assistance.
The cost and complexity of Exchange is what moved us away from it. We had thought of just going with Outlook in the cloud, but the annual cost for 200+ users was too high to justify. There are things I do miss about Exchange but for now, I'm happy enough staying with Kerio. Upgrades typically install with no trouble at all; very unlike Exchange. Administering Exchange was nearly a full time job. this is much easier. The Outlook Connect is sometimes a pain if it won't auto install on a computer. We have 4 computers that I have to go to and login as the domain admin in order to get the connector to update. Not a huge deal but kind of a pain.
I hope this help.
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| Re: Kerio Connect or Exchange 2013 [message #105891 is a reply to message #105883] |
Wed, 28 August 2013 11:00 |
Gabor
Messages: 6
Registered: August 2013
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Thanks guys! That helped me to strengthen my opinion.
Does anybody have a solution for personalized footer or disclaimer which gets the information about the author from Active Directory? The built-in function (footer) of kerio is not sufficient for me.
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| Re: Kerio Connect or Exchange 2013 [message #105895 is a reply to message #105891] |
Wed, 28 August 2013 14:38 |
scottwilkins
Messages: 103
Registered: May 2006
Location: Tulsa, OK
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Just to add to the discussion here, my two main reasons are
1. Simplicity! I'm a one man IT shop. I don't have time to administrate Exchange and all it's needs.
2. Cost. Kerio remains to be about 1/2 of the cost of Exchange.
That's enough for me. Not that I hate Exchange, there's a lot of nice stuff it can do, and it's a tad easier on the end user. But Kerio is so close to the perfect solution, I've used it for almost 8 years now and have not regretted it once.
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