Thoughtbus

Customer Support

Information and assistance when you need it.

The robust, yet affordable suite of hosted services Thoughtbus provides are why most organizations become customers. Our friendly, knowledgeable and dedicated US-based support staff is a major reason they stay with us for the long term.

Your organization's success is our goal. When you need help, we are committed to giving you the guidance and resources you need. From basic setup instructions to frequently asked questions to contacting technical support, you can find the information you need here.

Getting Started

Once you've signed up for the service, you can get started right away using Outlook Web App! Just point your browser at http://mail.thoughtbus.com and you're off and running. Outlook Web App is a great way to get to your email when you're traveling, or otherwise not at your own computer.

Using the full Outlook client for Windows

Depending on the version of Outlook you are using, the operating system on your computer(s), and your Internet connectivity restrictions, there are a number of ways to configure the full Outlook client.

Here are quick links to our standard step-by-step configuration instructions:

Outlook 2010 Outlook 2007 Outlook 2003

Macintosh OS X users

Thoughtbus supports the use of Microsoft Outlook 2011, Entourage 2008 W.S.E., Entourage 2008 ‘Classic’ (for Exchange 2007 only), and the Macintosh Mail client with our Exchange service. If you're using a Mac, we recommend that Exchange 2010 and 2007 users choose Outlook 2011 for the broadest feature support - including support for tasks and notes, classifying your mailbox items with various Categories, being able to use the Out-of-Office wizard, etc. The Snow Leopard edition of Mac Mail client also supports synchronization of email, calendars, and contacts, along with tasks and notes, but previous versions of Mac Mail only support email synchronization

Outlook 2011 for OS/X instructions
Entourage 2008 Web Services Edition instructions
Entourage 2008 instructions
Mac Mail - OS/X 10.6 Snow Leopard instructions
Mac Mail instructions

Using Windows Mail, Outlook Express or Mozilla Thunderbird

You can also connect to Thoughtbus using Outlook Express, Windows Mail (on Vista), or Mozilla Thunderbird. (Note that with this configuration, you will not be able to use a number of features, including views, and forms such as Contacts, Appointments, and Tasks, that are so useful when working with Thoughtbus via Outlook and Outlook Web Access.)

Windows Live Mail (Windows 7) instructions
Thunderbird instructions
Windows Mail (Vista) instructions
Outlook Express instructions

Using the Administration Console

The Administration Console gives your organization's administrator(s) the capability to administer your users, contacts, distribution lists, public folders, and SharePoint too. It is a user-friendly provisioning tool for your use. Here's a help file to get you started: Getting Started with the Administration Console.

Once you've read the help file, point your browser to http://mail.Thoughtbus.com/adminconsole/ to login.

Here are step-by-step instructions for some common administration tasks: Using the Admin Console

Working with the Thoughtbus Ultimate Anti-Spam Protector

If your organization chooses to subscribe to the Ultimate Anti-Spam Protector, there is a separate Administration Console that your organization's administrator(s) can use to specify per-user configurations, to view the site-wide spam quarantine, and to setup site-wide rules. The Console also provides online help.

Administrator(s): https://mail.thoughtbus.com/antispam/admin

In addition, everyone in the organization will be able to work with their User Policy Manager (UPM) to define their own 'approve' and 'block' rules. The UPM also provides online help.

User(s): https://mail.thoughtbus.com/antispam/upm

Setting up Exchange ActiveSync for your Palm Pre, Android, iPhone, Windows Mobile PocketPC or SmartPhone, or Treo

Thoughtbus provides Exchange ActiveSync support for Palm Pre, select Android devices, iPhone, Windows Mobile Pocket PC and SmartPhones, and Treo 680 and 700p wireless handhelds. Please follow these step-by-step instructions for wireless e-mail, contacts, and calendar synchronization:

Exchange ActiveSync instructions

Setting up your Blackberry Wireless Handheld

Thoughtbus provides full support for BlackBerry wireless handhelds, versions 4.0 and higher (extra charge applies). Once you've ordered BlackBerry support for your Thoughtbus account, follow these step-by-step instructions to set up wireless synchronization:

BlackBerry Enterprise Server (BES) instructions

Accessing Thoughtbus Email from your iPhone

You can configure your iPhone to connect to your Thoughtbus mailbox!

iPhone setup, v.2, 3, and 4 -- Exchange ActiveSync
iPhone setup, v.1.1.4 or older -- IMAP

Logging onto your Thoughtbus Hosted SharePoint Intranet

If your organization has been provided a SharePoint intranet, then it generally has a URL in the format of https:// <Your Organization Name> .thoughtbus.com, or https:// <Your Organization Name>.a.thoughtbus.com, or https:// <Your Organization Name>.b.thoughtbus.com - just logon with your Thoughtbus username and password to open your organization's intranet.

If you have trouble getting connected to Thoughtbus, or require technical support, please email support@thoughtbus.com or just give us a call at 800-385-0474.