Using email apps that are not mainstream

Finding alternative solutions that are better than the standard

There’s a common misconception that big companies must adhere to the same standard IT solutions and tried-and-true solutions to succeed. However, this is not necessarily true, while many businesses gravitate toward mainstream platforms like Microsoft Office and using older mail protocols like POP, others are finding benefits in exploring alternatives. This is precisely the case with e-Ability, a forward-thinking innovative company in the medical industry (specifically focusing on wheelchairs) that recently made the switch to eM Client, a less conventional yet robust email solution.

In this article, we explore reasons for opting out of the mainstream and how choosing an alternative email client can offer surprising advantages for businesses looking to tailor their communication tools to better fit their specific needs to improve collaboration.

Why look for a mainstream apps alternative?

Exploring alternative email apps can be a game-changer for companies looking to optimize their communication tools. Mainstream options, like Outlook or Apple Mail, while popular, may not always meet the specific needs of every business. Here’s why considering an alternative app can be beneficial:

• Customization and flexibility:

  Alternative email clients often offer more customization options, allowing companies to tailor the interface, features, and workflows to better fit their unique communication styles and requirements.

• Cost Efficiency:

  Mainstream email solutions can be expensive or offered in bundles with other apps you’ll never need. Many alternative apps provide competitive pricing or even free versions with essential features, making them a cost-effective choice for businesses.

• Enhanced Productivity:

  Some lesser-known email clients include productivity-boosting features like integrated task management, quick templates, or more intuitive contact management. These can streamline daily operations and reduce the time spent on email-related tasks.

• Improved Security:

  Alternatives sometimes offer advanced security options or more frequent updates, which can be a crucial consideration for companies dealing with sensitive information.

Q: What led you to look for an alternative partner?

The primary motivation for seeking an alternative partner was the need to upgrade from the outdated POP email system to a more integrated and collaborative solution. Initially using Apple Mail, the team found that as their company grew and more employees became involved, the limitations of POP (like being isolated to individual systems and lacking synchronization) became apparent. A solution that allowed for shared access to emails, better collaboration, and improved management capabilities was needed, which led them to consider alternatives like vBoxxConnect in combination with eM Client.

Importance and benefit of collaboration

Many companies still use POP protocol, which while valid option for some users, is a nightmare when you need shared access to emails. If you work in a company, you might need to have an overview of messages arriving to shared mailboxes and seeing if they have been read, responded to, sorted into custom folders or marked somehow. This is simply not possible with the outdated POP email system. The limitations of POP are in the fact that it only downloads messages from Inbox and does not synchronize any changes back to the mail server or other devices. POP can also delete messages on the server, which can mean other people in the team completely lose access to these messages.

Switching to a modern protocol like IMAP or Exchange allows for easy email synchronization of all emails, folders, read status and many other details like tags, flags and in some cases even notes and more. This make sharing and collaboration simple and makes the team more efficient.

Q: What product did you use before eM Client?

Before adopting eM Client, e-Ability used Apple Mail, configured with a POP email setup. This system was sufficient initially but became inadequate as the company grew, leading to challenges with email synchronization and collaboration among team members.

How can productivity be increased?

A well-chosen alternative email app can significantly boost a team's efficiency and collaboration, leading to increased productivity. Features like robust email management tools help organize and prioritize communications, while customizable email signatures maintain a professional and consistent brand image. Easy account configuration streamlines onboarding and account management, reducing setup time. Integration with cloud services allows seamless access to files and documents directly from the email client, enabling smoother collaboration and quicker responses. Together, these features create a more efficient workflow, allowing teams to focus on what truly matters.

Q: What features really stand out for you?

Standout features for e-Ability include the ability to manage email signatures, create and configure new user accounts with ease, and the overall integration with cloud services that facilitate sharing and collaboration. They find the straightforward management of permissions within their cloud storage and the ability to assign access at user-level particularly useful.

A review of e-Ability’s improvements after switching to alternative apps:

• Overall satisfaction:

  Mark expressed high satisfaction with both vBoxx and eM Client, appreciating the seamless integration and excellent customer service.

• Increased productivity:

  The switch from POP to IMAP through vBoxxConnect and eM Client has notably increased their productivity by reducing the time spent on manual coordination and improving email management.

• Initial deployment:

  The initial deployment involved a significant shift from the old POP system, but it was well-handled, with support available from vBoxx whenever needed.

• Sync experience/speed (also compared to other clients):

  While no direct comparisons were made with other email clients, the current setup with eM Client meets their synchronization needs efficiently, which was a major improvement from their previous POP-based system.

• Adoption and use by employees:

  Adoption by employees has been positive, although Mark believes there is still potential to utilize the features more fully. They are considering exploring additional functionalities to maximize their use of the services.