Kerio Mail Server - freedom of choice
Hardware costs
As discussed earlier, with Microsoft Exchange, you will definitely need to create a Microsoft server environment in order to run the software correctly. This certainly means that we have to assemble a machine for the task. For smaller businesses, we can also think of a desktop machine, the point is to consist of components that can withstand 24/7 operation, meaning it can operate for 24 hours every day of the week for extended periods of time without downtime or restart.
In the case of the Kerio solution, a good machine does not hurt either, but it is enough to clamp an older iron for this task, or to turbocharge it a bit in terms of storage and cooling. The only reason for this is that due to the independence of the KMS platform, it also runs on a Linux or a Windows Vista, for the former a weaker machine is enough, and for the latter a completely average configuration today. So a problem is fired in the optimal case, there is no need to buy new iron.
Operating costs
As we’ve covered, fine-tuning is very important in Exchange. Here we have to think not only of the e-mail software itself, but also of the server operating system running under it, as the program cannot do without Active Directory.
Fortunately, with Kerio Mail Server, you can save money here as well. The program can be set up and operated with minimal computer affinity. Likewise, setting up the operating system is not a big problem. Of course, we can relate to the fact that many people don't even know whether to eat or drink about Linux, but as we wrote, it could be a Windows Vista system, and many people have come across it.
Another good point, as the knowledge of the company's "system administrator" may be sufficient, if only because the entire interface of the software is in Hungarian, so we can save operating costs as well.
Software costs
To present software costs, we model a small business of ten people. On a Windows basis, in this case we need to install an OEM SBS server. This comes with five user licenses by default, for which we need to purchase five more so that the software can serve all users. SBS Standard also includes Exchange software, but does not include content filtering. The total cost is thus approximately HUF 300, depending on the type of content filter. In contrast, in the case of Kerio, the total software cost is HUF 150, which includes a Windows Vista Business, Kerio Mail Server, and of course the built-in content filter. In the case of Linux, we can even deduct the cost of the Windows operating system from this price.
On the software side only, if we install on the Microsoft platform, the savings are about 150 thousand forints, and then we haven't calculated the cost of iron and operation, which can increase the difference to 300-400 thousand forints with one year of use. Based on what has been said so far, we think it is obvious that for a small or medium-sized company, we can achieve significant savings by using a Kerio product.
Now that we have got to know the financial side of running a mail server, there is nothing left but to immerse ourselves in a little bit of KMS services.
