I migrated from FirstClass to Exchange in part due to some similar issues
that David mentioned.
Other reasons to consider a switch:
* Calendaring in Exchange is much better than FirstClass, although I know F=
C
has made strides in this area. Group, department, and resource calendaring
are Outlook/Entourage=B9s strengths. Calendars in Sharepoint excellent.
* If you live in the Microsoft sphere and are considering Sharepoint, then
Exchange is a must. I believe that Sharepoint 2007 (nothing similar to
previous versions) will take off and have strong implications for schools.
* Yes FC does unified messaging but many VoIP providers don=B9t support them.
Everyone supports Exchange.
* OWA is much better than FirstClass web. If you want your students to use
web mail interface, this is a major consideration.
* Again, if you live in Microsoft sphere, AD integration is key and Exchang=
e
gets you a lot closer to single sign on.
Andrew J. Speyer
Director of Information Technology Services
Choate Rosemary Hall
333 Christian Street
Wallingford, CT 06492
[voice] 203.697.2105
[help desk] 203.697.2572
aspeyer@choate.edu
On 2/22/08 11:20 AM, "Fred Bartels" <fred_bartels@rcds.rye.ny.us> wrote:
> I would just add to this that choosing an email system based upon the
> inability of a very few administrators to imagine life without
> Blackberries is not exactly a pedagogically sound decision.
>=20
>=20
> A forum for independent school educators <ISED-L@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU> writes=
:
>> >I've managed both FirstClass and Exchange and have found things to love
>> >anvd
>> >hate about both. If you're interested in unified messaging (Fax, voice
>> >matil,
>> >and e-mail all in one place), the FirstClass solution is pretty slick a=
nd
>> >integrates nicely with the FC server. FC also has some nice collaborati=
on
>> >features (like chat) that may or may not be great in your particular
>> >environment. That said, calendaring, remote access, and Blackberry
>> >integration are strong suits for Exchange, and our administrators, at
>> >leasgt,
>> >can't imagine life without Blackberries. Educational pricing for
>> >Exchangea is
>> >pretty competitive, and in my experience is no easier or harder to mana=
ge
>> >than FirstClass. (shrug) I really think the "best" solution for a giv=
en
>> >school depends on the institution's communications culture and how it
>> >hopeos
>> >to direct that culture in the future
>> >
>> >Good luck with the decision!
>> >
>> >David
>> >
>> >David Rossell
>> >Administrator of Network Services and Planning
>> >Norwood School
>> >8821 River Rd.
>> >Bethesda, MD 20817
>> >(301) 841-2178
>> >drossell@norwoodschool.org
>> >
>> >
>> >-----Original Message-----
>> >From: A forum for independent school educators
>> >[mailto:ISED-L@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU] On Behalf Of Peter Hoopes
>> >Sent: Friday, February 22, 2008 10:41 AM
>> >To: ISED-L@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU
>> >Subject: Re: FirstClass to Exchange 2007
>> >
>> >A forum for independent school educators <ISED-L@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU> on
>> >February 22, 2008 at 10:37 AM -0500 wrote:
>>> >>Most organizations that considering do so because they feel they have=
to
>>> >>be M$ products from head to toe.
>> >
>> >Pardon my terrible English here - typos abound. What I meant to say was=
:
>> >
>> >Most organization that are considering moving from FC to Exchange do so
>> >because they feel that top-to-bottom M$ integration is beneficial.
>> >However, many schools have found that not to be the case.
>>> >>
>> >And yes, we are a FirstClass school that has had a lot of success with
>> >FirstClass. Its not perfect, but its a ton easier to manage than
>> >Exchange...
>> >
>> >Peter Hoopes
>> >Director of Technology
>> >St. Andrew's School
>> >phoopes@standrews-de.org
>> >=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D
>> >
>> >[ For info on ISED-L see http://www.gds.org/ISED-L ]
>> >Submissions to ISED-L are released under a creative commons, attributio=
n,
>> >non-commercial, share-alike license.
>> >RSS Feed, http://listserv.syr.edu/scripts/wa.exe?RSS=3DISED-L
>> <http://listserv.syr.edu/scripts/wa.exe?RSS&L=3DISED-L>
>> <http://listserv.syr.edu/scripts/wa.exe?RSS&L=3DISED-L>
>> >
>> >[ For info on ISED-L see http://www.gds.org/ISED-L ]
>> >Submissions to ISED-L are released under a creative commons, attributio=
n,
>> >Snon-commercial, share-alike license.
>> >RSS Feed, http://listserv.syr.edu/scripts/wa.exe?RSS=3DISED-L
>> <http://listserv.syr.edu/scripts/wa.exe?RSS&L=3DISED-L>
>> <http://listserv.syr.edu/scripts/wa.exe?RSS&L=3DISED-L>
>> >
>=20
> [ For info on ISED-L see http://www.gds.org/ISED-L ]
> Submissions to ISED-L are released under a creative commons, attribution,
> non-commercial, share-alike license.
> RSS Feed, http://listserv.syr.edu/scripts/wa.exe?RSS=3DISED-L
> <http://listserv.syr.edu/scripts/wa.exe?RSS&L=3DISED-L>
> <http://listserv.syr.edu/scripts/wa.exe?RSS&L=3DISED-L>
>=20
[ For info on ISED-L see http://www.gds.org/ISED-L ]
Submissions to ISED-L are released under a creative commons, attribution, non-commercial, share-alike license.
RSS Feed, http://listserv.syr.edu/scripts/wa.exe?RSS&L=3DISED-L
