It is coming back to me now. I set up CDOSYS prior to getting SQLMail working, so I never looked into using xp_sendmail. I have my own Stored Procedure called...
Yeah, our Email administrator had to change the setting on the GroupWise server to allow the connection from the SQL Server machine. I recall them saying something about relaying.
I cannot comment on your reliance on your parent company. That seems like it is a decision based on the availability and reliability of their system. But you can setup...