Configuring Laptop strategy

[quolo]

This is my first time going through this whole process, so bear with me.

I've got a Windows 2000 Server running Exchange 2000 and things seem to be going reasonably well so far. I've got several desktops in the domain and a couple laptops not in the domain, but running Exchange Services.

I'm looking for advice on the best strategy to allow my laptop users to use their Outlook profiles both here and away from the office. Between OWA, VPN, Exchange Services, and connecting to the domain, what would be the best user scenario?

Thankee thankee,

Jeremy

 

[rrsub]

Have them use Outlook and synchronize their email. Make sure they have an offline store file.

 

[quolo]

My fault. I should have been more thorough in my description.

I have all of the users using Outlook and using offline store files on the server. So I've gotten that far. Is that the solution? When away from the office, is OWA the only way they can access their email?

 

[TheStressFactor]

Hi Quolo,

I have been and am going through a similar situation. Since I configured my von way before I even had exchange in place I have chosen that method. However, now that I am about to roll out owa that seems the best option. This way I do not need to install vpn client on there machine and they dont have to perform an extra step to get their mail. however, since most of them will also access there network files, our erp program, internet, i will continue to roll out von to my laptop users and all those non-laptop users will have the ability to get their mail via OWA. So in short, if it is stricly for mail then OWA but if they need access files then you might as well do VPN also.

Just my two cents.

Patrick

 

[quolo]

Yep, that's my thinking. Email is the immediate need, but the next-to-immediate need is our centralized fileserver type of thing. I'll do a VPN thing in a month and OWA until then.

I feel much better about it now that someone more experienced than I has come to the same conclusion.

Go Tek-tips people go!