SMTP and suggestions

Happy Friday one and all!

I have my NE install into our fire alarm system but i would like this system to send an email to certain members of the business to inform of an activation, Time date etc.

For the purpose of testing, i'm trying to find a server to send emails out on and tst the system is doing as it should be.

I'm not having a lot of look, i have tried the obviou accounts (Gmail,ayjoo as i already have these but i doubt they offer SMTP through dialing the IP)

So after some suggestions and also, as i can't get this function to send out on another provider like Mandrill. I'm a little stuck!

Ideas?

TIA

Matt