A few weeks ago in this newsletter, I discussed e-mail chargeback systems. I received a number of responses to the newsletter and would like to share some of that feedback here. I think quotas and flat-rate charges per mailbox are easier to manage. Incremental flat rates for increasing mailbox storage permit additional capacity where needed. There seems to be more arguments when charges vary.
Forecasting is more difficult for budgets.
Forecasters seem more comfortable with fixed charges, even when total charges slightly exceed what a metered service would cost. By not charging back, the IT department has more control over the selection of software and services that it can provide. You are not at the mercy of a VP who has heard from a friend of a friend that this particular software is better than the one in place, etc. You do away with this very letter with your monitoring. I am working in an environment where a static monthly chargeback for the provision of an e-mailbox is well accepted, but what would really help to manage information overload and provide a meaningful link between the cost of the functionality and the benefit to the business would be true usage chargebacks per mailbox.