Introduction to Microsoft Exchange Server 2003
MS Exchange 2003 Server provides a reliable, scalable, and manageable platform offering round-the-clock email and team support as well as quick return on investment. Exchange 2003 Server supports a wide range of team activities, including group calendaring abilities, discussion areas, and group folders, and furthermore gives access to data that crosses geographic, organizational, and technology divisions with productivity enhancers such as IM, real-time data, and video conferencing. MS Exchange 2003 Server offers improvements over Microsoft Exchange 2000 Server in many important areas that cover protection, performance, and remote access.

Years of experience working with Microsoft's messaging technology makes Progent one of the most effective IT support firms in the Northern California and key regions nationwide for integrating email solutions based on MS Exchange 2003 Server. Progent can assist small and medium-size businesses realize all the advantages of MS Exchange 2003 Server under these typical situations:

Moving from Microsoft Exchange 5.5
Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 delivers significant improvements in functionality over Exchange 5.5 Server in key areas affecting accessibility, manageability, security, stability, capacity, and performance.

  • Exchange 2003 Server brings a significant improvement in functionality compared to the Exchange 5.5 web client. Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 offers an almost complete version of the popular MS Outlook interface that features scheduling and tools. This means that remote and mobile workers get the advantage of full, secure availability of email even if they don't have a notebook. All they need is a web-connected computer with a standard browser.
  • In contrast to Microsoft Exchange Server 5.5, which has a built-in directory, MS Exchange Server 2003 utilizes Active Directory, providing a more simplified management and security structure. This makes Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 easier to administer and maintain and also offers tighter protection.
  • Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 has a powerful foundation for transparently adding non-Microsoft utilities such as virus and spam scanning tools. Exchange 2003 Server's strong Application Programming Interface eliminates the technical risk often found with MS Exchange 5.5 when integrating independent software.
  • Exchange 2003 Server delivers significantly improved capacity and speed in comparison to Exchange Server 5.5. Consequently you can benefit from more and bigger mailboxes and speedier offsite access.
  • Upgrading to MS Exchange 2003 Server also brings better search ability, making it easier to find vital data when you need it.

Reasons for Updating from Exchange 2000 Server
MS Exchange 2003 Server features improvements in functionality over MS Exchange Server 2K in key capabilities including disaster recovery, performance, security, mobile access, collaboration, and simplicity of management.

  • MS Exchange 2003 Server delivers enhanced disaster recovery by adding the capability of eight-node clustering, cluster failover time enhancements, support for mount points which overcome the 24-drive letter limitation, SAN compatibility, Volume Shadow Copy Service for database backup, a Mailbox Recovery tool, and a Restore Storage group.
  • Exchange Server 2003 speeds up performance via features such as a /USERVA startup switch for adjusting the use of memory and memory address space, public folder store replication improvements, distribution list performance improvements, and control of Out of Office notices.
  • Security improvements available from Exchange Server 2003 include Internet Protocol security (IPSec) support for front-end and back-end clusters, signed Lightweight Directory Access Protocol requests to Microsoft Active Directory, front-end and back-end Kerberos authentication, Internet Information Services 6.0 protection, limiting of distribution lists to authenticated users, real-time Safe and Block data, inbound recipient filtering, attachment restrictions in OWA, and public folders permissions improvements for unknown users.
  • MS Exchange 2003 Server includes better support for mobile workers by adding an Outlook Web Access (OWA) user interface (UI) and a more extensive range of capabilities for Web Outlook, Microsoft Outlook performance enhancements via MAPI compression, HTTP access from Outlook, cHTML and HTML smart phone browser support, plus current synchronization of notifications for Pocket PCs.
  • Manageability and serviceability are improved by centralizing queues on a per-server system, improving the user experience, exposing all system queues, controlling cookie authorization, using Exchange System Manager to transfer queue data, including a multi-user Move Mailbox function, and providing dynamic distribution lists, public folder Search capabilities, and public folder affinity to manage referrals.

How Progent Can Assist You to Migrate to Microsoft Exchange Server 2003
Using field-proven methodologies, Progent's expert consultants can help you to design and execute an efficient in-place migration plan that avoids business disruption, reduces future maintenance requirements, and makes your MS Exchange Server 2003 solution easy to administer. For complicated multi-server or multi-site migrations, Progent has the background to complete your move on schedule and within your budget. Progent's Microsoft Exchange help, repair, and consulting services include expertise on the configuration of third-party enhancements that are best aligned to your company goals.

Advantages of Migrating to Exchange 2003 Server from an ISP-based or POP3 Email System
If your organization is now running an email system hosted by an Internet Service Provider or if you are running your Outlook users in POP3 mode, Microsoft Exchange 2003 Server offers an array of improved capabilities in the areas of manageability, performance, size, reliability, and collaboration:

  • In contrast to the store-and-forward technique used by POP3 email systems, Exchange Server 2003 uses a central-store model that liberates users from reliance on a specific personal computer or notebook, lowers susceptibility to computer breakdown or virus attacks, and allows both on-line and off-line operation, programmed backup, and sophisticated collaboration.
  • Microsoft Exchange 2003 Server has powerful groupware features that allow work groups to increase efficiency by sharing scheduling, address books, correspondence, and data.
  • The flexibility of Exchange Server 2003 allows you to integrate third-party security enhancements or support wireless devices such as the Blackberry handheld.
  • Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 supports powerful management and tracking tools so you can confirm that your email system is running efficiently.
  • MS Exchange 2003 Server permits complete on-line backup without affecting users, enabling round-the-clock availability by avoiding scheduled maintenance blackouts.

How Progent Can Assist You to Move from a POP3 Email Environment
Progent's experience and proven best practices can help you to implement a fast, seamless migration to Exchange 2003 Server. Progent attends to critical issues that include managing domain names so that both local and mobile workers make a hassle-free transition from the restrictions of POP3 messaging. 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 security specialists can show you how to create a comprehensive security plan that includes a safe messaging environment.

How Progent Can Assist You to Move to Exchange Server 2007 from Exchange Server 2003
Progent's Microsoft Exchange experts can help you to migrate to Exchange 2007 Server from MS Exchange 2003 at minimal expense or disruption of business operations. Progent can help you to improve Microsoft Exchange security, responsiveness, dependability, connectivity, and availability and simplify administration. Progent's CISSP-certified system security specialists can evaluate and upgrade your security environment and Progent's Cisco-certified network engineers can enhance your network architecture to increase network efficiency and lower operating expense.

Hosting for Exchange
Progent also can provide Microsoft Exchange Hosting Services based on a world-class data center for Microsoft Exchange and featuring high-speed Internet access, dedicated firewall protection, security update and service pack implementation, Help Desk Call Center support, spam and virus filtering, regular backup, automated monitoring of security and performance, and full Exchange administration support. When moving from an older release of Exchange is a great time to consider moving to a hosted environment for MS Exchange 2007 Server in order to economize on cost related to capital equipment, reliable infrastructure, and email management.

If you wish to contact Progent about consulting support for MS Exchange Server or to learn more about Progent's Microsoft Exchange hosting services, phone 1-800-993-9400 or email exchange-help@progent.com.

Progent's Support Services for Microsoft .NET Servers
For small and mid-sized businesses in the San Francisco region, San Jose, or anywhere in the United States, Progent's Microsoft-certified consultants offer computer assistance and professional consulting support for the entire family of Microsoft .NET servers, Microsoft Windows Server 2008, and Windows Server 2003. Progent's planning, installation, optimization, and support capabilities include system design, deployment, and administration help for project analysis and documentation, on-site and off-site IT help and system repair, Help Desk Call Center Support, comprehensive security expertise, full-service outsourcing, and network and application server hosting options.

If your company requires urgent online help from a Microsoft certified engineer, go to Progent's Emergency Online Technical Support.

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