Despite constant advancement in communication technologies, emails are still used most people for both personal and business communication. However, a constant increase is noted in the number of users accessing their messages on the mobile and handheld devices. So each user must choose the email connection protocol that allows him to access emails in his own way. As each user has option to choose from several email connection protocols, he must understand the important differences between widely used protocols like Microsoft Exchange, Post Office Protocol, version 3 (POP3) and Internet Message Access Protocol (IMAP).
Comparing POP3, IMAP, and Exchange Email Connections
Microsoft Exchange
The proprietary protocol was introduced by Microsoft. The connection requires both incoming and outgoing emails to be stored on the central Exchange mail server. The messages stored on the server can be accessed by users through WebMail, MS Outlook or any other email client or mobile device. Exchange further allows users to store emails in local folder, and access these in an offline mode.
You can consider using Microsoft Exchange to make your incoming and outgoing emails available on multiple computers or WebMail. The protocol is also supported by smartphones, tablets and other mobile devices. Also, the users have option to sync their contacts and calendars. But MS Exchange Mode is not supported by all mail clients. The offline configuration is also both complex and time consuming. The expensive nature of Microsoft Exchange server further makes the protocol usable only by large organizations.
Post Office Protocol, version 3 (POP3)
When you use POP3 connection, the emails are downloaded from the mail server to the local drives of your computer. Once the messages are saved locally, the original message is deleted from the server. As you do not have any option to access the emails from the server, it becomes a daunting challenge to track the email conversations.
The main advantage of POP3 connection is it allows you to avoid getting online storage space. But the protocol does not allow you to access your emails anytime and anywhere. Also, you will miss the option to check your emails on the go by using your mobile device. As the download of emails will depend on the bandwidth, there are chances that additional time will be required to download the mails with large attachments.
Internet Message Access Protocol (IMAP)
Unlike POP3, IMAP allows you to access emails stored on a remote server. So you can access your emails while away from your computer. The protocol further offers enhanced security and confidentiality, while allowing users to access their messages on both conventional and mobile devices. Unlike Microsoft Exchange, IMAP enables users to access their messages on their preferred email clients like Thunderbird and Outlook.
As you have option to directly access the emails from the remote server, it becomes easier to track your email conversations and contact’s email addresses. Many enterprises further opt for IMAP to allow employees to access centralized mailboxes by using their login credentials. At the same time, the members of distributed teams can stay connected with each other by accessing emails on mobile phones, web interfaces and email clients.
However, you will need constant internet connection to access your emails through IMAP connection. Based on your convenience, you can use any device connected to web to access your emails anytime and anywhere. Also, you will need online storage space to avoid deleting the old emails. However, you may not find internet connectivity a problem in the modern world. The email service providers further allow you to have adequate online storage space to manage your emails efficiently.
As an advanced email connection protocol, IMAP comes with features found in both MS Exchange and POP3. At the same time, it also complements the requirements and lifestyle of modern users by allowing them to access emails on desktops, laptops, smartphones and tablets. The email service providers further allow them to choose from several IMAP email accounts according to their specific needs.
We provide professional email services. If you are looking for email accounts for small and medium businesses, speak to our team. We are quick, affordable and let our work speak volumes about our reliability. Check us out at POP2IMAP.in and we will be glad to assist.
Comparing POP3, IMAP, and Exchange Email Connections
Microsoft ExchangeThe proprietary protocol was introduced by Microsoft. The connection requires both incoming and outgoing emails to be stored on the central Exchange mail server. The messages stored on the server can be accessed by users through WebMail, MS Outlook or any other email client or mobile device. Exchange further allows users to store emails in local folder, and access these in an offline mode.
You can consider using Microsoft Exchange to make your incoming and outgoing emails available on multiple computers or WebMail. The protocol is also supported by smartphones, tablets and other mobile devices. Also, the users have option to sync their contacts and calendars. But MS Exchange Mode is not supported by all mail clients. The offline configuration is also both complex and time consuming. The expensive nature of Microsoft Exchange server further makes the protocol usable only by large organizations.
Post Office Protocol, version 3 (POP3)
When you use POP3 connection, the emails are downloaded from the mail server to the local drives of your computer. Once the messages are saved locally, the original message is deleted from the server. As you do not have any option to access the emails from the server, it becomes a daunting challenge to track the email conversations.
The main advantage of POP3 connection is it allows you to avoid getting online storage space. But the protocol does not allow you to access your emails anytime and anywhere. Also, you will miss the option to check your emails on the go by using your mobile device. As the download of emails will depend on the bandwidth, there are chances that additional time will be required to download the mails with large attachments.
Internet Message Access Protocol (IMAP)
Unlike POP3, IMAP allows you to access emails stored on a remote server. So you can access your emails while away from your computer. The protocol further offers enhanced security and confidentiality, while allowing users to access their messages on both conventional and mobile devices. Unlike Microsoft Exchange, IMAP enables users to access their messages on their preferred email clients like Thunderbird and Outlook.
As you have option to directly access the emails from the remote server, it becomes easier to track your email conversations and contact’s email addresses. Many enterprises further opt for IMAP to allow employees to access centralized mailboxes by using their login credentials. At the same time, the members of distributed teams can stay connected with each other by accessing emails on mobile phones, web interfaces and email clients.
However, you will need constant internet connection to access your emails through IMAP connection. Based on your convenience, you can use any device connected to web to access your emails anytime and anywhere. Also, you will need online storage space to avoid deleting the old emails. However, you may not find internet connectivity a problem in the modern world. The email service providers further allow you to have adequate online storage space to manage your emails efficiently.
As an advanced email connection protocol, IMAP comes with features found in both MS Exchange and POP3. At the same time, it also complements the requirements and lifestyle of modern users by allowing them to access emails on desktops, laptops, smartphones and tablets. The email service providers further allow them to choose from several IMAP email accounts according to their specific needs.
We provide professional email services. If you are looking for email accounts for small and medium businesses, speak to our team. We are quick, affordable and let our work speak volumes about our reliability. Check us out at POP2IMAP.in and we will be glad to assist.
No comments:
Post a Comment