Sync Outlook Calendar/Contacts recommendations?

[Xander]

I've been asked by an existing small-business customer to help them set up their 3 computers for shared Outlook calendars/contacts. They don't have a central server so things like Exchange are out. They are, as said, a small business so we're also not looking to blow huge wads of cash. They'd come up with "OfficeCalendar.com" which runs about $100/user so I'd say that's their budget but I wouldn't mind coming in under budget.

FWIW, they'd previously tried gSyncit but it kept coming up with requests to delete data (contacts/appointments).
I'm also not against setting up with a gmail account in order to centralize the information.

 

[Alan22]

There are some great ideas here:
Sharing Microsoft Outlook Calendar and Contacts: http://slipstick.me/share

 

[HubCityPC]

Windows Live Mail allows calendar sharing and works well with the Outlook Connector but that won't solve your contact sync problem...just a thought. Although, maybe you could create one single non specific account for the business like businessnamehere@live.com, add all contacts (from all users) there and have each local user set up using POP or IMAP. That should sync everything to all users.

If you try this, let us know if it works.

Kevin

 

[callthatgirl]

how about a hosted exchange? Some of the big companies charge $8 a month and then you can share everything, I'm doing that here soon for my own staff.

Acadania, the reviews I read said WLM will do contacts and they don't! I just tested it and I'm kinda peeved it won't update. GRR!!!

 

[HubCityPC]

CTG, are you using the Outlook Connector? I just signed in and checked my calendar and contacts and they're all there. I don't really use my Live account very much, I set it up a while back and sorta forgot about it. I really just have it to access Live Mesh.

Any hoot, it seems like it's working on my end but you are right, hosted exchange is much cheaper than hosting it yourself. There's also Google's App Sync.

Kevin

 

[red12049]

Google Calendar sync will take care of that part, and Kigoo will gtake care of the contacts. I have an attorney's office set up this way, and it works like a charm.

Rick

 

[CompConfig]

Google apps calander would be perfect it can sync to outlook but you do not need outlook, it is free and it has many shared calanders, contacts and email. The best part is it is all free. If they have their own website you can even use their Domain name through gmail and it is also free