UK Online has teamed up with Microsoft to give small businesses access to enterprise-level email by bundling Microsoft Hosted Exchange 2007 with its broadband service.

Microsoft Exchange 2007 in hosted mode offers small business access to email, calendar and contacts in real time from any device with an Outlook-like interface on their web browser.

The information is stored remotely on secure servers, and all data is safely backed up and can be shared easily between colleagues.

Chris Stening, managing director at UK Online, told vnunet.com that the increasing proliferation of email makes it more important for small businesses to access data and communicate with clients, even when out and about.

"In today's business environment a business-quality, easy-to-manage professional email service is key," he said.

"Many small businesses use consumer grade POP3 email which limits how and when they can access their email. More importantly, they run the risk of losing all their emails and contacts if their PC or laptop hardware fails."

In addition, customers will be able to build an instant online presence using UK Online's website builder developed with Iomart, the parent company of Easyspace.

The new Site Builder means small businesses can quickly build, host and maintain a professional and fully hosted website quickly and easily from 1,000 templates, without having to employ a design company.

Domain name registration and a basic three-page hosted website will be included in UK Online’s existing broadband Premier package.

Businesses can upgrade to eight hosted web pages, search engine business marketing and a wide choice of paid-for domain names.

The new services will be available early March and will form part of UK Online's £25 per month Premier Broadband service.

Customers will receive two mailboxes as part of their existing package, with additional packages available for up to 11 users as required.

The new packages will also be offered as stand alone services later in the year.

In addition to the new elements, customers will continue to receive free UK based 24/7 technical support, SPAMfilter, high upload and download speeds and free one year subscription to McAfee Internet Security Suite.