spam filter appliance or server side software

[continuum]

Can anyone shed some insight on using a spam filtering appliance vs. a server side software solution. We haven't really looked at the cloud as we would like to have complete control of our systems. We like the idea of server side software. It's a little cheaper, but obviously an appliance would work just as well.

Can anyone share the implications of using each?

[GoldenRabbit]

I work in a data center where we see all kind of different setups. We cater to mostly service providers and such so we see a lot of appliances. The good thing about them is they are generally always up. Going down the road of using an appliance allows you to take down mail servers for updates and such. Whille you do that, the appliance will still accept incoming messages and store them in queue until the server comes back online.

My vote would be the appliance. I see alot of barracuda's installed in racks around the data center.

[Webmaster]

The only server-side one I have used in GFI mail essentials which I actually like. For one, you can drag any delete items right out of the junk mail to your inbox. Second, you can actually navigate to the junk mail folder via your phone and check for anything flagged as spam.

I got a bad taste in my mouth early with the appliances and cloud services. I hated the idea of getting an e-mail with all the message that were flagged as junk. Why, because when I did need something I had to login to a web interface, find the message, and choose to restore it to my inbox. It was just too much hastle for me.

That's my 2 cents.