SMTP Switch utility

[Andrew Zenz]

Hi All,

Is there such a utility that will allow an easy change of the outgoing
(SMTP) server?

Recent changes by many ISP's mean that the clients cannot use the same SMTP
server wherever they go (port 25 is blocked) and most of them are reluctant
and not confident in changing the settings even though I have given them
written instructions with nice pictures.

Ideally I would like to have a utility, with some preconfigured servers,
that allows the user to quickly change the SMTP server with relatively few
mouse clicks, and allows them to enter new servers.

While in the office, the clients use the company mail server (the clients
are all POP3 clients). When they take their laptops home, they have to
change their outgoing server. When the travel interstate or overseas, they
have to change the SMTP server to that of the local POP or hotel etc, etc.

Short of creating a VPN back to head office, does anyone have a suggestion
(or such a utility) that can help me?

Thanks,

Andrew

 

[Vince Averello [MVP-Outlook]]

You could write your own program to do it based on conditions like IP
addresses & such. Also, you can see if this product works for you:
http://www.netswitcher.com/

 

[Andrew Zenz]

Thanks for the reply.

I have seen Netswitcher before but consider it more for the networking side
of things (IP settings, proxy settings and the like).

The FAQ section at Netswitcher indicates that it will change email client
settings but only for Outlook Express, Eudora and Netscape mail and the
instructions for OE look more complicated than the ones I put together for
my clients.

BTW, I didn't mention that they use Outlook 2002 and 2003.

Cheers,

Andrew

 

[Brian Tillman]

Is there such a utility that will allow an easy change of the outgoing
(SMTP) server?

Not a utility, but here's one way from our very own Diane Poremsky:
http://www.outlookpower.com/issues/issue200403/00001248001.html

Here's one option:
http://www.mailutilities.com/ars/

 

[Carlos Antenna]

Here is how I solved the same situation. You can set this up to use an
alternate port and you can use this outbound mail server from anywhere so
there is no need to change smtp servers.

http://www.dyndns.com/services/mailhop/outbound.html

 

[Andrew Zenz]

Thanks Brian,

I have already tried one of Diane's suggestions (2 profiles - same PST) but
the hosts file trick is interesting although it requires you to know the IP
address and not the user friendly name. Some of my users have trouble with
a mouse - forget editing a file etc.

Thanks for your help.

Regards,

Andrew

 

[Carlos Antenna]

I thought this was a cool trick too.

The ip address is easy enough to get, just ping the server name.
You need to write a simple batch file to switch between the two host files.
Then the users only click on the icon for the batch file.