Exchange 2007: What Your Organization Needs to Know

By Stacey McDaniel

Many of today's mid-size organizations operate in a Microsoft Exchange environment. Most of these enterprises have invested in Exchange and Exchange-compatible systems over the years, and now they are both loyal to and dependent upon Exchange for email. With the release of Microsoft Exchange Server 2007, CIOs might be wondering if it's worth the time, effort, and cost to migrate to 2007 from the current platform. Find out what's new with Exchange 2007, and what security issues to consider before you migrate.

Long time coming
Exchange Server 2007 includes many new enhancements and features that improve upon the 2003 platform, Microsoft's last release. Here are some of the main improvements:

• More access -- Email inbox, calendar, contact information, and voicemail can be accessed virtually anywhere, anytime using a browser.
• Better availability -- New data replication capabilities drive increased availability at a lower cost.
• Richer email experience -- Improved user experience and better manageability. Desktop features such as quick flags, sophisticated calendaring, and fast search are now available on mobile devices.
• Unified messaging -- Employees can receive their email, -voicemail, and faxes through a single inbox that can be accessed from anywhere. This means lower cost and complexity through consolidation of voicemail infrastructure.
• Promotes compliance -- Features are specifically designed to help comply with corporate, regulatory and legal requirements.
• Improved Web access -- Outlook Web Access (OWA) 2007 gives a rich, Outlook 2007-like experience from a browser anywhere. No VPN is required.
• Management help -- Updated graphical management console with a more intuitive user interface, and a toolbox work center integrates diagnostics, monitoring and troubleshooting tools.

One of the most prominent changes is that Exchange 2007 runs only on 64-bit servers. Even though 64-bit servers enable higher performance, it's been one of the biggest obstacles to migrating for mid-sized organizations because it means replacing existing 32-bit servers with new ones that cost twice as much.

Managing email security
Email is mission-critical to most organizations, so while Exchange 2007 boasts many new features, migrating to a new email system is not a task to be taken lightly. If you decide to migrate, you also must consider how you will secure, manage, and archive all aspects of the messaging environment while also ensuring compliance with IT policies and government regulations.

Conclusion
The Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 boasts many new features that make accessing and managing email easier than ever for IT administrators and employees. What it doesn't do is back up or recover email messages, or protect them from outside threats. An organization's email system is a critical component -- keep this in mind when determining whether to upgrade.

Stacey McDaniel has been writing about high-tech issues for more than six years.