Introduction to Microsoft Exchange Server 2003
Microsoft Exchange 2003 Server delivers a reliable, scalable, and easy-to-manage platform with round-the-clock email and team support as well as low cost of ownership. MS Exchange 2003 Server supports a wide array of collaborative activities, such as group scheduling capabilities, discussion areas, and team folders, and furthermore makes available data that extends over geographic, logical, and technology divisions with productivity enhancers such as Instant Messaging, on-demand data, and video conferencing. Microsoft Exchange 2003 Server delivered enhancements over Microsoft Exchange 2000 Server in key areas that address protection, performance, and mobility.
Microsoft has ended support for Exchange Server 2003, making IT managers face all the problems associated with supporting a legacy email platform. Still, the majority of Exchange sites are now running Exchange Server 2003. Progent's Microsoft Gold authorized IT engineers have in-depth backgrounds maintaining Microsoft Exchange 2003 and can help you to manage and repair your existing Exchange 2003 solution or help you to plan and carry out an economical upgrade to an up-to-date version of Exchange.
Extensive background with Microsoft's messaging technology makes Progent one of the most effective IT support firms in the United States or supporting email environments powered by Exchange Server 2003. Progent can assist small organizations realize all the benefits MS Exchange Server 2003 has compared to older editions of Microsoft Exchange. These enhancements have helped establish Microsoft Exchange 2003's large customer base and secure the status of Microsoft Exchange as the world's leading e-mail solution.
Advantages of Microsoft Exchange 2003 Vs. MS Exchange 2K Server
Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 offers enhancements in capability over Microsoft Exchange 2000 Server in important areas such as recovery, throughput, protection, mobile access, collaboration, and simplicity of management.
- Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 offers improved disaster recovery by adding the capability of 8-node clustering, faster failover, support for mount points which overcome the 24-drive letter limitation, SAN compatibility, Volume Shadow Copy Service for database backup, a Mailbox Recovery Center utility, and a Restore Storage group.
- Exchange 2003 Server enhances performance via features that include /3GB and /USERVA startup switches for adjusting the allocation of use of memory address space, public folder replication enhancements, distribution list caching improvements, and control of Out of Office messages.
- Security improvements offered by MS Exchange Server 2003 include Internet Protocol security (IPSec) compatibility for front- and back-end clusters, signed Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) requests to Active Directory, front-end and back-end Kerberos validation, Internet Information Services (IIS) 6.0 protection, restriction of distribution lists to validated users, up-to-date Safe and Block lists, inbound recipient filtering, attachment restrictions in Microsoft Outlook Web Access, and public folders access enhancements.
- Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 includes better accommodation of remote and mobile users by adding an Outlook Web Access user interface and a broader range of capabilities for Web Outlook client, Outlook performance enhancements via MAPI compression, HTTP compatibility from Outlook, cHTML and HTML mobile phone browser capability, plus synchronization of notifications for handheld computers.
- Manageability and service are improved by organizing queues on a per-server system, enhancing the user interface, revealing all system queues, controlling cookie permission, using Microsoft Exchange System Manager to transfer log and queue data, including a multi-user Move Mailbox feature, and adding dynamic distribution lists, public folder Search capabilities, and public folder affinity to manage referrals.
Improvements of Exchange 2003 Vs. Microsoft Exchange Server 5.5
MS Exchange Server 2003 offered major improvements in capability over Exchange Server 5.5 in important areas including accessibility, ease of management, security, stability, scalability, and performance.
- MS Exchange 2003 Server offers a significant improvement in functionality over the Microsoft Exchange 5.5 web client. MS Exchange 2003 Server offers an almost complete implementation of the traditional MS Outlook interface including scheduling and utilities. As a result, remote and mobile users have the benefit of complete, protected access to email even if they don't have a notebook. All mobile users need is a web-attached PC with a standard web browser.
- In contrast to Exchange 5.5, which has a built-in directory, Exchange 2003 Server uses Microsoft Active Directory, providing a more streamlined management and security structure. This makes MS Exchange 2003 Server easier to administer and maintain and in addition offers tighter security.
- Exchange 2003 Server has a powerful architecture for transparently adding third-party utilities including anti-virus and anti-spamming software. Exchange 2003 Server's versatile Application Programming Interface eliminates the technical risk associated with Microsoft Exchange Server 5.5 when integrating third-party software.
- Exchange Server 2003 offers greatly increased capacity and speed in comparison to MS Exchange Server 5.5. These improvements include more and larger mailboxes and speedier remote connectivity.
- MS Exchange Server 2003 also provides better search capability, making it easier and quicker to find vital data when you need it.
Advantages Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 Compared to an ISP-provided or POP3 Email Environment
If your organization is now using an email environment hosted by an ISP or if you are running your Outlook clients in POP3 mode, Exchange 2003 Server provides a wealth of enhanced capabilities covering manageability, performance, size, availability, and group support:
- Unlike the store-and-forward technique utilized by POP3 email systems, Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 is based on a central-store model that frees users from dependence on a specific PC or laptop, lowers susceptibility to hardware failure or virus attacks, and permits both on-line and off-line email, automatic backup, and sophisticated collaboration.
- Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 has powerful groupware features that allow work groups to improve efficiency by sharing scheduling, address groups, messages, and data.
- The flexibility of Microsoft Exchange 2003 Server makes it possible to integrate non-Microsoft security enhancements or accommodate wireless devices such as the BlackBerry.
- Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 supports powerful management and monitoring utilities so you can verify that your messaging environment is operating smoothly.
- Exchange 2003 Server allows complete on-line backup without disrupting performance, enabling round-the-clock availability by avoiding routine downtime.
How Progent Can Help You to Migrate Your POP3 E-Mail Users to MS Exchange Server 2003
Progent's experience and proven methodologies can enable you to implement a quick, seamless move of your POP3 e-mail users to Exchange 2003 Server. Progent attends to critical issues that include coordinating domain names so that both local and mobile workers enjoy a smooth upgrade from the limitations of POP3 email. Progent can assist you with setting up an on-site Exchange 2003 Server solution or help you to locate and manage your Exchange Server 2003 in an external Data Center. Progent's business continuity consultants can help your organization to develop and implement a comprehensive workplace recovery strategy that includes Microsoft Data Protection Manager support for ongoing online backup and rapid data restoration.
How Progent Can Assist You to Move to Exchange Server 2010 or Microsoft Exchange 2007 Server from MS Exchange Server 2003
Progent's Microsoft Exchange consultants can help you to migrate to MS Exchange Server 2010 or upgrade to Microsoft Exchange 2007 Server from MS Exchange 2003 at the least possible cost or disruption of business operations. Progent can help your organization to improve Exchange security, performance, reliability, and fault tolerance and simplify administration. Progent's CISSP-certified system security consultants can review and improve your security strategy and Progent's Cisco-qualified network engineers can upgrade your network architecture to improve network performance and lower operating cost.
Hosting for Exchange
Progent also can provide Microsoft Exchange Hosting and Management Services centered around on a world-class data center for Exchange and featuring fast Internet access, dedicated firewall protection, patch and service pack control, Helpdesk support, spam and virus protection, regular data backup, 24x7 analysis of security and responsiveness, and full email administration services. When migrating from an earlier release of Microsoft Exchange is an ideal time to move to a remote managed environment for Exchange 2010 Server or Exchange 2007 Server so you can economize on expenses related to computer hardware, fail-safe infrastructure, and messaging system management.
If you wish to get in touch with Progent about technical help for Exchange Server technology or to ask about Progent's Exchange hosting services, call 1-800-993-9400 or send email to exchange-help@progent.com.
Progent's Support Services for Microsoft Server Technology
For small businesses throughout the U.S., Progent's Microsoft-certified consultants can provide network assistance and professional consulting services for the entire array of Microsoft .NET Enterprise Servers, Windows Server 2008, and Microsoft Windows 2003 Server. Progent's planning, installation, optimization, and consulting services cover network design, deployment, and administration help for
project analysis and documentation, local and remote
technical help and system diagnosis,
Help Desk Call Center Support, comprehensive
security expertise, IT
outsourcing, and
network and application server hosting services.
In case your company requires urgent online support from a certified network expert, visit Progent's Emergency Online Network Help.
Read additional details concerning Progent's Consulting and Support Services for Microsoft .NET Servers.
