Using Microsoft POP3 collector in SBS2003 Exchange with new Outlook 365 service

[normal9648]

Yesterday I was "upgraded" to office 365 and my SBS2003 exchange collapsed totally. I reset all the POP3 parameters but have run into the "use SSL" barrier in that it is not an option in the POP3 connector setup. I have spent over 5 hours on the phone to various support departments who were universally hopeless and didn't appear to understand the problem. I have got round it by setting up each outlook user with a pop3 account as well as their normal exchange account both pointing to the OST exchange offline file for delivery. This works as the exchange server database is reverse synchronised when outlook 365 mail arrives, the Exchange backup service is also backing up new email as it is synchronised into the Exchange Store and the blackberry / iphone / ipad system is synchronising. I have switched off the pop3 collector for the time being. However as we have an awful BT ADSL line and now each PC is collecting email the entire system has slowed to a crawl. I also had group email accounts set up that distributed to multiple users when the email arrived at the server parser. This no longer works although there is a forwarding option in the settings it only allows 1 address.

HEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEELLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP Anyone!

[peleus]

Hi. Try this setting. hope it works out.

Server name: pop.outlook.com
Port: 995
Encryption method: SSL

outgoing server

Server name: smtp.outlook.com
Port: 587
Encryption: TLS or SSL

[normal9648]

Thanks peleus, I have tried that but the sbs2003 pop3 collector doesn't have an SSL setting (that I can find), later versions (SBS2008/2011) do have SSL. I have had to set up all the individual outlooks to collect direct from BT office 365 which has crippled our already slow broadband. We have also lost all group mail (office 365 can only forward to 1 address) and exchange store backup and blackberry /iphone / ipad updates. Thanks for the "upgrade" BT. It looks like I'm going to have to buy a new server or move my domain to a "traditional" supplier.

It is interesting to note that all BT support could offer was to remotely screen share and set up outlook, a task that I am quite at ease with having set up hundreds of different versions. They didn't want to understand the fundamental problem at all, even the specialist email support? 

As an aside just using pop.outlook.com as the inbound server failed consistently. I used webmail to logon and under options there is a "what are my settings" screen which gives an address of pod5101x.outlook.com for pop & smtp servers which worked perfectly first time?

[badboyhouse]

did you get anywhere with this?

I have a client in exactly the same boat.  I'd rather avoid having to set up a pop3 account for each staff member if possible as it will mean they have to leave their computers on in order to receive external emails.

What about iPhone users??

[normal9648]

Not from BT or Microsoft (who kept trying to sell me an SBS2011 server!), however a friend showed me how to stop using the POP3 collector and change the BT DNS MX record from the BT control panel (luckily my client already had a static IP address) to point at the SBS server rather than the BT pop3 server and deliver mail directly via SMTP. Just add a path through the router to the server SMTP port and it distributes any incoming mail direct to the user. Gets rid of the 15 min minimum pop3 collect time as well.

The interesting bit about the whole horrible saga was the total lack of interest or skill from BT support, they didn't even know that when the PC downloaded from the pop3 server into the .ost file the exchange server backward synchronised itself so the Blackberry / iPhones continued to work OK!

I have since dumped BT in favour of somebody who is prepared to offer valid and helpfull support. Don't know why I didn't do it years ago! (Went to BE by the way, www.bethere.co.uk).

Good luck.