Fortinet FortiMail Reviews

The solution is used for email security. We used the solution for a customer who was having issues with spam.

The anti-spam features are valuable. The data loss prevention capabilities are good.

Sometimes, the tool flags legitimate incoming traffic as spam.

I used the solution for a year.

I rate the product’s stability a seven out of ten. We had to fine-tune the solution and make a rule to allow certain traffic to enter so that it is not flagged as spam.

The product adapts well to the organization’s growth. We must do a technical analysis before choosing FortiMail. We have one customer. I rate the scalability a seven out of ten.

The support team is not very responsive. There are some delays due to the time zone differences. We have to wait even if we need support immediately. The wait time depends on the time zone. We usually wait a few hours.

We work only with cloud solutions. During the initial stages of the deployment, we must contact support. The deployment took us a week. We configured and monitored it for some time, and then we did some fine-tuning to get it up and running. Seven engineers are responsible for the deployment and maintenance of the tool in our organization.

Customers do not prefer the tool because of its price. The tool is very expensive. However, it provides value for money.

I also work with Sophos.

We do not work with on-premise clients. Since the solution’s pricing is very high, the customers tend to look at alternatives. Overall, I rate the product a nine out of ten.

It operates as an alternative mail server, particularly adept at receiving and rescanning messages before they reach the intended recipients.

FortiMail possesses notable strengths, and one key feature is its store-and-forward concept.

It could benefit from enhancing its functionality, especially in terms of advanced filtering. Introducing features such as AI-based and cloud-based filtering could significantly improve mail security. Fortinet should consider developing more robust protection mechanisms, particularly for cloud-based environments. Currently, users often refrain from placing Fortinet in front of Office 365 Exchange unless it's a cloud-based solution. Improving the upgrade process, making it more user-friendly, and simplifying the management of hardware components could enhance the overall user experience and appeal of Fortinet's email security solution.

I would rate its stability capabilities nine out of ten.

Regarding scalability, the challenge lies in the licensing model tied to the hardware appliance. The current setup necessitates choosing between a higher or lower capacity appliance, creating inefficiencies. For instance, if you opt for a smaller appliance designed for up to a hundred users and the client has fewer users, you end up paying for unused capacity. On the other hand, choosing a higher-level appliance for a larger user base may result in unnecessary excess capacity and costs. It would be advantageous if Fortinet could address this issue by offering more flexible licensing options. This way, clients could pay for the specific number of users they have without being constrained by preset appliance capacities. This adjustment would enhance the scalability and cost-effectiveness of Fortinet's email security solution.

Initially, when reaching out to Fortinet's tier-one support, we observed effective resolution of issues. However, at the entry-level, it seems that there's a repetition of updating tickets, and the problems persist. Having worked with Fortinet for an extended period, I've noticed a shift in the support dynamic. Either the personnel at the first level lack a complete understanding of the issues, or they are relatively junior, leading to extended resolution times for even minor concerns. Previously, their responsiveness was quick and efficient, with a maximum of 24 hours for a technical person to address an issue. However, recent changes in their approach may be contributing to the longer turnaround times. The process of logging a technical call and receiving a response has become somewhat extended, even for smaller issues. I would rate it six out of ten.

Neutral

I often recommend exploring alternative products that diverge from the appliance-based approach. One notable option is Marshal from Paradigm, which was previously known as NetIQ. Marshal operates as software deployed on a server, handling inbound scanning, and forwarding emails based on established policies. This on-premises solution ensures that emails undergo scanning before reaching the main server, providing a robust layer of security. Other alternatives include GFI MailEssentials, Mimecast, and FortiGuard. Each of these products has its unique features and pricing structures. I've had positive experiences with Enhanced Security, our own rebranded solution. This cost-effective option is specifically tailored for SME segments, running seamlessly for the past four years. It is AI-based, cloud-based and has demonstrated its compatibility with various email platforms, including online exchange servers, on-premises servers, shared hosting, and Google Suite. Users have found it to be a reliable and efficient choice for email security.

The initial setup of Fortinet is not suitable for everyone; it requires a solid understanding of how email systems function, making it less accessible for entry-level or junior technicians. Proper comprehension of mail concepts is crucial for a successful deployment. Incorrect configurations may lead to misleading outcomes, potentially causing disruptions in both incoming and outgoing emails. 

Upgrading the storage requires a more involved process, as it is not a simple plug-and-play scenario. Users must go through the entire setup again, which can be a cumbersome task.

The pricing is on the higher side.

While FortiMail provides a valuable option for those focused on transparent mail filtering or security solutions, it may not be the preferred choice for users accustomed to the features offered by platforms like Microsoft Exchange. In the SME segment, factors such as functionality, ease of use, and cost play a significant role. Many businesses in this category may find cloud-based solutions more appealing due to lower costs, simplified maintenance, and performance considerations. If an organization operates in the enterprise segment and has a substantial budget, considering Fortinet might be a viable option. However, for the SME segment, I would not recommend it due to the cost involved and the complexities associated with yearly renewals. Implementing Fortinet requires a level of technical expertise, particularly in understanding how mail servers function. Overall, I would rate seven out of ten.

We use Fortinet FortiMail to protect our corporate maintenance. It is a very good solution.

It is one of the most efficient solutions in our environment. We have more than nine hundred users. All of these users are protected by Fortinet FortiMail.          

It would be helpful if Fortinet FortiMail could monitor from a smartphone. 

I have been using Fortinet FortiMail since 2019.

There is no downtime and I believe it is stable.

It is scalable. We are planning to upgrade it in the coming stages. 

Every six months, without any charge, they conduct a thorough examination for us. This includes checking if the configuration aligns with our requirements. They provide recommendations for corrections, particularly in cases where potential vulnerabilities or backdoors are identified. Their proactive approach contributes to the security of our environment. The assistance they provide every six months is prompt, cooperative, and delivered in a friendly manner.

Positive

We previously used Microsoft ISA for our security needs, but we encountered challenges with the packages provided by Microsoft, prompting us to explore alternative solutions. After conducting assessments and evaluations, Fortinet FortiGate emerged as the most efficient and effective option from a security perspective. Its ease of deployment, straightforward monitoring tools, and user-friendly interface distinguish it, providing a seamless experience in contrast to other solutions like Check Point, which were deemed complex and challenging by clients in their reviews. Fortinet's simplicity, ease of understanding, and the ability to generate reports effortlessly, including automatic report configurations without reliance on emails, led us to select Fortinet as the preferred solution for our security requirements.

It is pretty simple and straightforward. It doesn't take a long time. 

The pricing is reasonable.

I would rate it 10 out of 10. 

Our main use case for FortiMail is to protect emails. It acts as a security appliance focusing on emails and securing the inbox. It checks the content of the mail itself and the links that accompany the emails most of the time.

We use FortiMail as our email security for our organization.

The price gives a good review of emails. The anti-spam functionality is good and works well.

FortiMail has some latency issues and sometimes takes time to receive emails. Text emails without URLs also take time to forward. Accessing links in received emails can take time.

I have used FortiMail for one year.

It is a stable product. That said, there is some latency.

Customer support has some delays and is not as expected. It needs improvement.

Neutral

I used Cisco secure email before, which was more expensive, complicated, and harder to deploy compared to FortiMail. Fortinet is easier to deploy, troubleshoot, check the logs, and is cheaper.

There is a good return on investment between eight to nine out of ten. Deployment time is fast.

The pricing and licensing are advantageous. The price is between eight and nine.

I evaluated Cisco for email security.

Out of ten, nine points might be a very high score for this solution, however, eight is more reasonable. I'd rate the solution, therefore, eight out of ten.

My company provides the tool to our clients or customers who want to control phishing and need a tool that offers DLP functionalities.

The most valuable feature of the solution is the tool's ability to prevent phishing attacks.

I haven't worked with Fortinet FortiMail competitors, but I feel whatever it does covers everything that is needed. I probably haven't had the chance to look at the products offered by Fortinet FortiMail's competitors. The tool fulfills the requirements of the client.

Fortinet FortiMail has certain shortcomings but can do well if it integrates with sandboxing features. The integration of tools with sandboxing features is something Fortinet can work on because it can change the way the product detects malicious activities. The sandboxing features are not well done in Fortinet FortiMail, making it an area of improvement.

I have experience with Fortinet FortiMail.

It is a stable solution. There is no requirement for users to have real-time access when using the tool. The product does a good job in the way the messages are delivered, and in the way, the emails are scanned.

It is a scalable solution.

My company caters to the needs of three or four customers of the solution.

My company's clients are mostly medium-sized enterprises.

Fortinet FortiMail office provides good support to users. Within the region where I operate, the support offered by Fortinet is good, especially considering the taken by the technical team to resolve issues.

The longest time taken by the support team to resolve an issue is a day, and it is mostly because the support depends on the time you raise a ticket with the technical team, or it may be based on the support contract that a user has opted for in the company. Support also depends on the contract a user has chosen, which may include support for twenty-four hours and seven days a week in a year or eight to five support.

I rate the technical support a seven out of ten.

Neutral

In the past, I haven't worked with any commercial tools similar to Fortinet FortiMail, but I know a few online tools that can be integrated into our company's systems. I chose to work with Fortinet FortiMail since it was strongly recommended by someone who had been using it.

With the right guidance, the product's initial setup phase is not that complicated. Fortinet FortiMail provides good documentation and a support team to help users.

The solution is deployed with the help of Open Virtual Appliance (OVA).

The time taken to deploy the solution depends on the organization, but generally, the deployment process takes around seven days to complete in SMEs.

The product has an immediate impact on its users after deployment because it lets them know how the attacks are being blocked, and it provides a good analysis of why a certain email or activity has been flagged. There is good feedback related to the product from users.

It is a fairly priced product, considering what it does. The product offers good value for the money users spend on it.

There are no tools similar to Fortinet FortiMail that are available because each product has its own way of functioning. Similar products will have many features that may be similar, so duplication of services is something a company wants to avoid. It is probably the better choice to select a product that is the easiest to use and offers a good support team.

I rate the overall product an eight out of ten.

The tool needs to improve its pricing policy. Also, it needs to be more user-friendly. I would want it to improve email security as well. 

I have been using the solution for two years. 

I would rate the tool's stability a nine out of ten. 

I would rate the solution's scalability an eight out of ten. 

The support takes one to two days to respond. 

Positive

The tool's distributor supported us with the deployment. The solution's deployment took around one day to complete. 

You need to pay additional fees for premium support. 

I would rate the tool a nine out of ten. This solution is good for small and medium enterprise companies. 

We primarily use the solution to protect the mail of our customers. We have a big device installed in our data center and we offer managed services. Most of our clients have Office 365 and they need that protected. 

The antiphishing capabilities are very good. 

It has good antispam features. 

The solution is stable. 

It would be better if it were easier to install.

The solution doesn't scale easily.

I started using this solution for a couple of years.

We haven't had any issues with the solution. It is stable and reliable. There are no bugs or glitches, and it doesn't crash or freeze. 

The solution is a bit scalable. However, that's based on the size of the hardware that's available at the outset. If you are planning to install dedicated hardware, you need to size the device to meet the needs. 

I've never dealt with technical support. That would be handled by another department. 

I also have some experience with Check Point. I've recently looked into comparisons between Check Point and Fortinet to show to a client. I find Check Point Harmony easier to set up.

The initial setup could be easier as it is a bit difficult. I'd rate the ease of implementation six out of ten.

We have hardware in our data center. For us, this is deployed on-premises; however, for our clients, it's available on the cloud. 

I'd rate the solution seven out of ten. 

We're partners and resellers. 

We are using Fortinet FortiMail as our email gateway.

Before implementing Fortinet FortiMail, our organization struggled with a high volume of spam emails. However, since deploying this product, we have seen a complete eradication of spam and have been able to function more efficiently as a result. As a utility company in the capital city of Kenya, it is crucial that we are able to communicate effectively and avoid any unnecessary distractions, and this solution has allowed us to do just that.

The key benefits of this solution are its user-friendly interface and clear instructions, as well as the wealth of online resources and helpful health community available for support. These features make it easy for users to navigate and utilize the solution effectively.

The solution's pricing is flexible and can be adjusted for African utility companies. Microsoft often offers special pricing formulas for African governments and organizations and it is similar to Fortinet FortiMail. In my country, government institutions receive discounted pricing from Fortinet FortiMail.

I have been using Fortinet FortiMail for one and a half years.

The solution is stable. It has never crashed once in and the half years we have been using it.

The solution is scalable because we were able to increase the number of emails without any issues and we can continue using the solution without any problems. We have approximately 3,500 users using this solution.

Some examples of the technical support provided for the solution include addressing my initial setup questions and helping me navigate the steep learning curve. As a result, I was able to become more proficient in using the solution and the need for further escalation decreased.

I rate the support from Fortinet FortiMail a ten out of ten.

Positive

We did not use another solution prior to Fortinet FortiMail. However, our ISP did handle the anti-spamming for us.

The initial setup of the solution was easy to accomplish. The engineer took only a few hours to complete it, starting in the afternoon and finishing by 5:00 pm.

The solution was implemented by a third-party engineer from Fortinet FortiMail East Africa. After setting it up, he trained me on how to support it. In case of any issues, he was always available to provide assistance.

The solution's ROI can be seen in the decrease in spam emails, which previously caused the exchange server to shut down and disrupted communication with customers. This led to a decrease in monthly collections, but the implementation of the solution allowed for 24/7 communication and stabilized the end-of-month collections.

We paid approximately $30,000 for the solution. It is less expensive than some other solutions. We have one license that carries all the features that we wanted.

We evaluated Checkpoint. We chose Fortinet FortiMail because of its cost-effective pricing and ease of deployment and maintenance. The technical maintenance and troubleshooting were also simpler compared to Checkpoint.

I do the maintenance of the solution. It requires updates every few months.

If somebody wants a good solution that is cost-effective and works well, I would recommend Fortinet FortiMail.

I rate Fortinet FortiMail a nine out of ten.