Sharing Outlook with more than one computer?

I am soliciting for ideas on the easiest way possible to share Outlook between 5 computers.
I would like all 5 people to be able to share, edit, view one calendar, one contact list etc.

 

Outlook...and by that I mean the version that comes with Office is a single user version. To that end, the correct way would be to use Exchange server. If that is too pricey, look at www.icewarp.com for an exchange look-a-like.

However, one of our employees stores his *pst in a folder on a file server, not the local computer. Mainly because he has reloaded the OS several times and this allows him to just re-link to the *.pst without loosing any data.

You may be able to do the same for the 5 users with the understanding that if more than 1 user tries to access the *.pst files...problems will occur.

The problem with this approach, very basically comes down to file record locking, which Exchange is able to overcome.

 

Here's some more sites to consider

http://outlook.4team.biz/
http://www.bynari.net/

 

I looked into the 4Team option and it appears that every computer HAS to be on the internet to 'share' (it sends it's sharing info via email which is translated and processed...blah blah)

So now my next question is, what is the least I need to do to hook up 4 computers to share ONE Outlook (calendars, notes, etc) without 2 of them being on the internet?
Do I need a server computer as an exchange server?
If so, what OS or other software do I need to load on it?

Or do I have other options?

 

Both Exchange and Icewarp Merak Groupware are central server type application's and are windows based.

Based on your questions, I must make the assumption your not an IT person. Exchange is not a weekend project, unless your going to hire someone. To set exchange up properly, even with four people, you will need a standalone or member server. The server OS is Windows 2000/2003. Next you will have to buy Exchange and set it up. OS and Exchange will put you back $2500 US. + the cost of the computer AND someone to configure it.

Icewarp/Merak Groupware is considerably cheaper. You will still need a standalone pc, but it can be loaded with W98...W-XP. Any P3/600 with 256mb Ram will do.

btw...everyone needing access will need atleast a LAN connection. All the groupware settings and data are central to the application/workstation.

http://www.merakmailserver.com/Products/Merak_Groupware_Server/
This link is to a company in the DC area, support/marketing Icewarp here in the US. Drop them a line for further information.

Unfortunately, what you are trying to do is not a cheap quick-n-dirty weekend project. Unless you have the know-how for Linux and Open Source applications, you will have to give up a little cash to make it work.

Good Luck

 

Microsoft was thinking about Small Business when they made this

 

ssmith10pn...your right, my bust

Joe, if you look at the hardware requirements for MS small business server (and not the minimums), you can get a product called MS small business server with 5 CAL's (client access lisc) for about $500 + the cost of a workstation.

http://www.cdw.com/shop/products/default.aspx?EDC=549013

This would be an excellent solution for you. Not only would you get the ability to have a central Outlook repository, but the same server could also be setup as a file server for network data storage.

For the server, if you don't already have a box laying around, Go to ebay and search for a DELL - P3/700 or better. These can be had for Less than $200. Look for the ebay account "dell_financial_services "...good deals here.

 

Probably worth pointing out that SBS comes in two versions - standard and premium.

As the previous posts have shown, standard is pretty cheap as a pack including 5 CALS and should be all you need (Premium adds SQL and ISA server which I'm guessing you dont need)

I'd also be tempted by a third party backup solution such as ARCServe or BackupExec as the inbuilt Windows backup is less than helpful with Exchange when you want to do anything other then full system restores