Convert+Email+System?

The schools of Chittenden East are contemplating conversion of its email system from Groupwise email/calendar to Google's Gmail in for the 2012-2013 school year. Please share your thoughts via the Discussion tab above.
 * Should CESU Convert from Groupwise email/calendar to Google's Gmail? **

//The CESU technology committee and administrators will use this data to help it make an informed decision in December 2011.//
 * Pros || Cons ||
 * * We could keep the same email address, though see note below about this option.
 * We can transfer email accounts and old emails to new account
 * Cost savings on email server resources
 * Cost savings on anti-spam
 * Cost savings on eliminating need for more local tech support engineers to keep Groupwise running 24/7/365
 * Less server administration/patches/updates
 * Cost savings on email spam filter ($2400/year)
 * IPhone compatible with email and calendar (most mobile devices compatible)
 * No client install required
 * Power outage at CHMS does not shut down system for all schools
 * Tags - can put email in multiple "folders" at one time (Gmail)
 * Reliability - Google promises 99.9% uptime
 * Incorporated with other Google tools (ex. Docs)
 * Support - we would receive Google phone support for free
 * One login for Google Docs and email || * More bandwidth usage = slower Internet response time
 * New Account setup – separate from Novell setup (same as google docs)
 * Would need to recreate shared access to mail/calendars
 * Difficult to retrieve old/deleted data without additional cost $8 per student
 * All individual address books will need to be recreated
 * Current Distribution Lists (address book groups) would need to be recreated
 * No Client – not as feature rich
 * When Internet is down – no email or calendar
 * Can't retract unread message with no time limit in Gmail
 * No ability to see if and when messages are read by recipients
 * No Shared folders in Gmail - //(there are folders for shared documents in Google Apps// ||


 * General Notes:
 * If we convert, transition would be much more efficient if we use a new email domain (ex. cesuvt.org) rather than cesu.k12.vt.us. A new domain would allow us to setup the new email system over several months, while retaining the parallel cesu.k12.vt.us system until we are ready to drop it. If we want to retain cesu.k12.vt.us permanently, we will have little time to deal with transition issues, and may have down time. A domain change does not affect our web site addresses, but we may choose to change them for consistency purposes some day.
 * There would be no cost savings in software. Groupwise is part of the Novell network package that CESU purchases anyway, no matter which email system is used. However, savings will be realized in cost of anti-spam service, servers and buying additional tech support time to keep the system running 24/7/365.
 * Currently, Gmail is part of the dashboard that also serves up Google Docs (word, spreadsheet) and other Google apps.
 * If we decide to move away from Groupwise, choosing Google should also include a discussion and comparision of their apps (word, excel, powerpoint). Having docs with one company and email with another forces another set of account names and paswords to be maintained. ||
 * Resources: **
 * [[file:Vermont Schools Using Gmail.xls]]
 * ** [|Mona Shore Public School transition explanation to teachers] **
 * ** IT Roundtable Email Comparison Discussion **
 * ** Messiah Colleg analysis: Groupwise vs Google vs Office Live **
 * [|Maine Township High School Email comparision]
 * Lifehacker comparison of Google Docs and Office Live (word, spreadsheet, powerpoint)