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Introducing Exchange Server 2003
Exchange 2003 Server delivers a reliable, scalable, and manageable infrastructure offering round-the-clock messaging and collaboration plus quick return on investment. Microsoft Exchange 2003 Server enables a broad range of collaborative activities, such as group calendaring abilities, discussion groups, and team folders, and furthermore makes available information that extends over territorial, logical, and architectural divisions with features that include Instant Messaging, on-demand data, and video conferencing. Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 introduced improvements over MS Exchange 2000 Server in important technologies that address protection, performance, and remote and mobile communications.

Microsoft has ended support for Exchange Server 2003, forcing information technology management deal with all the issues associated with supporting a legacy messaging platform. Despite this, many Exchange sites are still operating Exchange Server 2003. Progent's Microsoft-authorized network consultants offer in-depth backgrounds supporting Exchange Server 2003 and can help your business to manage and troubleshoot your current Exchange Server 2003 environment or assist you to design and carry out an economical upgrade to a current version of Exchange. (See Progent's Exchange Server 2016 migration support services and Microsoft Exchange 2013 expertise.)

Advantages of Exchange 2003 Over MS Exchange Server 2000
MS Exchange 2003 Server offers enhancements in capability over Exchange Server 2K in key areas such as disaster recovery, throughput, security, mobility, collaboration, and simplicity of management.

• MS Exchange 2003 Server offers superior disaster recovery by including the capability of 8-node clustering, faster cluster failover, support for mount points which overcome the 24-drive letter limit, SAN compatibility, Volume Shadow Copy Service for backup infrastructure, a Mailbox Recovery tool, and a Restore Storage group.
• Exchange 2003 Server enhances responsiveness through innovations such as /3GB and /USERVA startup switches for tuning the allocation of memory and memory address space, public folder store replication improvements, distribution list caching improvements, and control of Out of Office notices.
• Security improvements introduced by Exchange 2003 Server include Internet Protocol security compatibility for front-end and back-end clusters, signed Lightweight Directory Access Protocol requests to Active Directory, front- and back-end Kerberos authentication, IIS 6.0 security, restriction of distribution lists to authenticated users, real-time Safe and Block lists, download filtering, attachment blocking in Microsoft Office Outlook Web Access (OWA), and public folders access enhancements.
• Microsoft Exchange 2003 Server includes better accommodation of remote and mobile workers by including an Outlook Web Access (OWA) user interface and a more extensive feature set for Web Outlook client, Microsoft Outlook speed enhancements via MAPI compression, HTTP access from Outlook, cHTML aND.htmL mobile phone browser capability, and synchronization of notifications for Pocket PCs.
• Manageability and serviceability are improved by centralizing queues on a per-server basis, enhancing the user interface (UI), exposing all system queues, enabling cookie authorization, utilizing Microsoft Exchange System Manager to move log files and queue data, including a multi-user Move Mailbox function, and adding dynamic distribution lists, public folder Search capabilities, and public folder affinity to manage referrals.

Improvements of MS Exchange Server 2003 Compared to MS Exchange 5.5
MS Exchange Server 2003 offered major enhancements in functionality over Exchange 5.5 Server in key areas affecting accessibility, ease of management, protection, stability, scalability, and performance.

• Exchange 2003 Server offers a significant increase in functionality over the Microsoft Exchange 5.5 web client. MS Exchange Server 2003 offers a nearly identical version of the older MS Outlook interface that features calendaring and tools. Because of this, remote and mobile workers can have full, protected availability of email even without a laptop. All they need is an Internet-connected PC with a standard web browser.
• Unlike Exchange Server 5.5, which uses its own directory, MS Exchange 2003 Server takes advantage of Microsoft Active Directory, providing a more simplified administration and protection structure. This makes Exchange Server 2003 less expensive to manage and support and in addition offers better protection.
• Exchange Server 2003 has a strong architecture for transparently integrating non-Microsoft utilities such as virus and spam scanning tools. Exchange 2003 Server's versatile API eliminates the technical risk associated with MS Exchange Server 5.5 when integrating independent utilities.
• MS Exchange 2003 Server delivers significantly increased scalability and speed in comparison to MS Exchange 5.5 Server. Improvements include more and bigger mailboxes and speedier offsite connectivity.
• Microsoft Exchange 2003 Server also offers improved search ability, making it easier and quicker to find important data when you need it.

Benefits Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 Vs. an ISP-based or POP3 Email System
If your organization is currently running an email system hosted by an Internet Service Provider (ISP) or if you are operating your Outlook users in POP3 mode, MS Exchange 2003 Server provides a wealth of improved features in the areas of ease of management, responsiveness, size, reliability, and group support:

• Unlike the store-and-forward technique utilized by POP3 email environments, Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 uses a central-store model that liberates users from reliance on a specific PC or notebook, reduces susceptibility to hardware breakdown or viruses, and permits both on-line and off-line email, automatic backup, and sophisticated collaboration.
• Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 has an array of groupware features that allow teams to maximize productivity by sharing calendaring, address books, messages, and files.
• The flexibility of Exchange Server 2003 makes it possible to install non-Microsoft security enhancements or accommodate wireless devices such as the BlackBerry smartphone.
• MS Exchange 2003 Server works with powerful administration and monitoring utilities to make sure your messaging system is running efficiently.
• MS Exchange 2003 Server permits complete on-line archiving without disrupting performance, enabling 24x7 operation by eliminating routine downtime.

How Progent Can Assist You to Migrate Your POP3 E-Mail Clients to Microsoft Exchange Server 2003
Progent's experience and tested methodologies can enable you to implement a quick, non-disruptive move of your POP3 e-mail users to Microsoft Exchange 2003 Server. Progent pays attention to vital details that include managing domain names so that both local and off-site workers enjoy a smooth upgrade from the limitations of POP3 email. Progent can help you with setting up a local Exchange Server 2003 solution or help you to locate and administer your Exchange 2003 Server in an off-site datacenter. Progent's disaster recovery experts can assist your organization to design and implement a complete workplace recovery strategy that incorporates Microsoft System Center Data Protection Manager (DPM) support for ongoing remote backup and fast data recovery.

How Progent Can Assist You to Upgrade to MS Exchange 2013 or Exchange 2016 from Exchange Server 2003
Progent's Microsoft-certified consultants can assist your company to move to Microsoft Exchange Server 2013 or migrate to Exchange 2016 Server from Exchange 2003 at the least possible cost or interruption of business. Progent can assist your organization to improve Exchange security, speed, dependability, and availability and simplify administration. Progent's CISM-certified system security consultants can evaluate and improve your security environment and Progent's Cisco-premier network consultants can enhance your network architecture to increase network efficiency and reduce operating expense.

Office 365 Exchange Online Integration with On-premises Exchange
Microsoft has made a strong effort to enable seamless hybrid environments that combine Office 365 Exchange Online and local Exchange. This permits you to have specific mailboxes hosted on your on-premises datacenter or private cloud and other mailboxes hosted by Office 365. Progent's Microsoft-certified Exchange consulting team can help you with any phase of designing, integrating and troubleshooting your hybrid Microsofte 365 network. Progent's Exchange specialists can provide occasional expertise to help you resolve stubborn technical problems and also offer comprehensive project management outsourcing or co-sourcing to make sure your hybrid Office 365/Exchange solution is completed on time and within budget. To learn more about Progent's consulting services for integrating Microsoft 365 and on-premises Exchange systems, refer to Office 365 integration with on-premises Exchange.

Hosting Services for Exchange
Progent also can provide Exchange Hosting Services based on an enterprise-class data center for Microsoft Exchange and offering high-speed Internet connectivity, firewall security, patch and revision implementation, Helpdesk support, spam filtering, routine backup, continual analysis of security and responsiveness, and full email management services. While you are moving from an earlier release of Microsoft Exchange is an ideal time to move to a remote managed data center for Microsoft Exchange Server 2016 or Microsoft Exchange Server 2013 in order to economize on expenses related to capital equipment, fail-safe infrastructure, and email administration.

To get in touch with Progent about technical support for Exchange Server technology or to learn more about Progent's Exchange hosting services, phone 1-800-993-9400 or refer to Contact Progent.

Progent's Support Services for Microsoft .NET Server Technology
For small businesses throughout the U.S., Progent's Microsoft-authorized experts offer network assistance and IT consulting support for the whole array of Microsoft .NET Enterprise Servers and Microsoft Windows Servers. Progent's planning, integration, optimization, and consulting capabilities include network architecture, deployment, and management outsourcing for project analysis and documentation, on-site and remote IT help and system diagnosis, Standard Help Desk Support or Shared Help Desk Support, comprehensive security consulting, turn-key outsourcing, and ProSight Virtual Hosting services.

If your company is looking for immediate online help from a Microsoft certified engineer, go to Progent's Urgent Remote Network Support.

Find out additional details concerning Progent's Consulting Services for Microsoft .NET Servers.