Frequently asked questions

What is Opality Business Email?

Opality Business Email is a hosted service designed for small and medium-sized companies. It includes everything you need to run a top class email solution for your business.

Do I need my own mail server like Microsoft Exchange?

No, everything is hosted by us. All you need is a PC and an Internet connection.

What about software, do I need Outlook?

Yes, but fortunately that’s another benefit of Opality - it’s FREE with our service.
You get Outlook 2003/2007 installed and automatically hooked up to your hosted mailbox.

What is the size of my mailbox with Opality?

Customise to suit your needs.

Will I stop receiving email if I go over my mailbox limit?

No, you will receive emails as normal, but your outgoing mails will be limited

How do I find out how much I have used?

You simply log onto OWA (Outlook Web Access) at any time and view your status.

Do we need to transfer our DNS (Domain Name System) over to your control?

Not necessarily, although it makes sense to simplify this process. You would then point your MX Records to our servers, this would be updated by your DNS host.

I already have my own business mail server. Why host?

Hosting is much cheaper, more reliable and has more features than running an in-house service:

• Expert spam and anti-virus protection is standard, saving you time and protecting you behind the scenes from new threats.
• Access from anywhere is easy without painful VPN’s, technical settings changes and connectivity issues.
• Deploying powerful mobile email solutions are cheap and easy, allowing you to harness BlackBerry, iPhone or Windows Mobile.
• Your email is secure, centrally managed and automatically backed-up.
• Technology upgrades are free and seamless and performed by experts.
• Expert support is available at all times.
• There are no upfront costs and you only pay for what you use.

I have a hosted POP3 service, why should I use the Opality service?

Most email services out there are email-only services. At Opality, we also offer you the following:

• Automatic synchronisation over the air to your BlackBerry smartphone, 3G iPhone or Windows Mobile device;
• Access to Calendars, Contacts, Tasks, Email, Rules and more;
• The ability to share, e.g. your appointments diary or contacts;
• Central storage of mail so you see all your mail whether you are at work, home or on your laptop;
• Automatic backup of your mail. If your PC dies you don’t lose all your mail!
• Professional anti-virus and anti-spam filtering;
• Automatic setup on your PCs, plus direct access to support personnel whenever you need them.
  

Okay, but I can get that if I buy my own mail server, right?

To an extent, but you also get burdened with:

• Big up-front expenses (hosting is subscription-based and it is 50% cheaper over three years)
• Several single points of failure: Your internet connection, your server, your support person, etc.
• A less feature-rich platform.
• The need for expert knowledge for setting up the service and for maintaining it.
• Difficulties inherent in looking after complex technology (constant monitoring, upgrades and support).
• Challenges managing spam and virus protection.
  

Is it secure?

Yes, we believe our service is more secure than any in-house mail deployment. Please see our security statement for details on our high security and redundancy credentials.

What happens if the hosted service goes down?

Our platform has multiple points of redundancy where if one system fails another automatically takes over. Suffice to say it is far more comprehensive than anything a small business can put together in-house. We have an excellent track record in keeping our 99.9% uptime SLA and a robust response mechanism to address situations out of our control. For example, the service is fully monitored meaning that in the event of an issue arising, key support people are notified immediately and action is taken immediately.

Do I need mailboxes for all my colleagues?

Yes. In order to benefit from the group features such as sharing your contacts or allowing your colleagues to schedule appointments, everyone must be on the service. However, not everyone needs a full-feature mailbox - ask us for more details.

How does the storage work?

You get plenty of storage as standard with each mailbox, but this can be extended to an unlimited amount if required. We offer a range of online archiving options.

What happens if my Internet connection goes down?

Unlike the scenario if you have your own server, your email continues to be delivered normally. You can use Outlook normally as well, but new email inbound and outbound will be queued until your Internet connection is up again.

For BlackBerry and other mobile device users, your communication services will continue and you will receive email as normal. When your connection returns, your email systems will automatically synchronise, leaving you to get on with your business.

You can also access your mail from another location or using a 3G card (which you can purchase through us!).

Can I hook up my PDA, Smartphones (incl. iPhone, and most other devices) or BlackBerry smartphone?

Yes. We support most mobile technologies so you can hook up your BlackBerry smartphone, PDA or phone to our service and get your emails delivered to your handheld device. Opality Partners supply ‘ready-to-go’ devices – couldn’t get any easier!

What does the service cost?

Pricing is charged per mailbox per month and varies depending on volume. Please contact us for more information.

What does the monthly charge include?

Opality offers incredible value for money solutions in the market and includes the following inclusive benefits:

• Free set-up
• Free support
• Free 2003 or 2007 Outlook Client
• Free Professional Advanced Anti-spam and Email filtering on a per user basis
• Free secure daily backup
• Free anti-virus scanning
• Free and unlimited public folders and distribution groups
• Free Opality administration and user control panels
• Outlook web access
• 99.9% SLA
  

Your FAQs did not answer my brilliant question, please can you help?

Of course! Contact us on +27 (0)21 403 1938 or queries@opality.co.za and we will gladly assist you.