Introduction to Microsoft Exchange 2003 Server
Exchange Server 2003 provides a reliable, extensible, and manageable infrastructure with round-the-clock email and collaboration plus low cost of ownership. MS Exchange 2003 Server supports a wide array of team functions, including group calendaring capabilities, discussion areas, and group folders, and also gives access to data that extends over geographic, logical, and technology divisions with features that include Instant Messaging, on-demand data, and video conferencing. Microsoft Exchange 2003 Server incorporated improvements over Microsoft Exchange Server 2000 in important technologies that address protection, speed, and mobility.

In 2009 Microsoft ended support for Exchange Server 2003, requiring IT managers face all the issues involved in maintaining a legacy email system. Still, many Exchange sites are currently running Microsoft Exchange 2003. Progent's Microsoft-authorized network engineers have extensive backgrounds supporting Exchange Server 2003 and can assist your business to manage and repair your current Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 solution or help you to design and carry out an affordable upgrade to an up-to-date edition of Exchange. (See Progent's Exchange 2016 migration planning and support services and Exchange 2013 expertise.)

Advantages of Microsoft Exchange 2003 Compared to MS Exchange Server 2K
Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 offers improvements in capability over Exchange 2000 Server in crucial areas including disaster recovery, throughput, security, mobility, collaboration, and manageability.

  • MS Exchange 2003 Server delivers improved recovery by adding support for eight-node clustering, quicker cluster failover, support for mount points which overcome the 24-drive designation limit, SAN compatibility, Volume Shadow Copy Service for database backup, a Mailbox Recovery Center tool, and a Restore Storage group.
  • Exchange Server 2003 improves responsiveness through features such as a /USERVA startup switch for adjusting the allocation of memory address space, public folder store replication enhancements, distribution list caching enhancements, and control of Out of Office messages.
  • Security enhancements introduced by Exchange 2003 Server include Internet Protocol security (IPsec) support for front- and back-end clusters, signed Lightweight Directory Access Protocol requests to Active Directory, front-end and back-end Kerberos validation, Internet Information Services (IIS) 6.0 security, restriction of distribution lists to authenticated users, up-to-date Safe and Block lists, inbound recipient filtering, attachment blocking in Microsoft Office Outlook Web Access (OWA), and public folders access improvements.
  • MS Exchange 2003 Server offers better accommodation of remote and mobile users by including an Outlook Web Access user interface (UI) and a more extensive range of capabilities for Web Outlook, Outlook 2003 performance improvements via MAPI compression, HTTP access from Microsoft Outlook, xHTML aND.htmL smart phone browser capability, plus syncing of notifications for Pocket PCs.
  • Management and service are simplified by centralizing queues on a per-server basis, improving the user interface, exposing all system queues, controlling cookie authorization, using Microsoft Exchange System Manager to move log files, including a multiple-client Move Mailbox feature, and adding dynamic distribution lists, public folder Send hierarchy, and public folder affinity to manage referrals.

Improvements of Exchange Server 2003 Compared to Exchange 5.5
Microsoft Exchange 2003 Server delivered significant enhancements in functionality over Microsoft Exchange 5.5 Server in important areas including access, manageability, protection, stability, capacity, and speed.

  • Exchange Server 2003 brings a dramatic increase in functionality compared to the Exchange 5.5 web client. MS Exchange 2003 Server offers an almost complete implementation of the traditional Microsoft Outlook graphical user interface that features scheduling and tools. As a result, mobile workers get the advantage of full, protected availability of email even if they don't have a laptop. All they require is a web-attached computer with a conventional browser.
  • In contrast to MS Exchange 5.5 Server, which uses its own directory, Microsoft Exchange 2003 Server uses Microsoft Active Directory, representing a greatly streamlined administration and security structure. This makes Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 easier to manage and support and also allows tighter security.
  • Exchange Server 2003 has a strong foundation for seamlessly integrating non-Microsoft applications including virus and spam scanning software. MS Exchange 2003 Server's versatile Application Programming Interface (API) solves the technical risk often found with MS Exchange Server 5.5 when integrating third-party utilities.
  • MS Exchange 2003 Server offers significantly increased scalability and speed in comparison to Microsoft Exchange 5.5 Server. These improvements allow more and bigger mailboxes and speedier remote access.
  • Exchange 2003 Server also provides improved searching capability, making it easier and faster to retrieve vital data when you need it.

Benefits MS Exchange 2003 Server Compared to an ISP-provided or POP3 Email System
If your organization is currently running an email system hosted by an ISP or if you are operating your Outlook users in POP3 mode, Microsoft Exchange 2003 Server offers an array of improved capabilities covering manageability, performance, capacity, availability, and collaboration:

  • Unlike the store-and-forward model utilized by POP3 email systems, Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 uses a central-store architecture that liberates users from dependence on a specific desktop computer or laptop, lowers susceptibility to computer breakdown or viruses, and allows both on-line and off-line operation, programmed backup, and advanced collaboration.
  • Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 has an array of collaboration features that allow teams to maximize efficiency by sharing scheduling, address groups, messages, and data.
  • The versatility of Exchange 2003 Server allows you to install non-Microsoft security add-ins or support wireless devices such as the BlackBerry.
  • MS Exchange 2003 Server supports powerful administration and tracking tools so you can confirm that your email system is running smoothly.
  • MS Exchange Server 2003 allows complete on-line backup without hurting productivity, enabling round-the-clock availability by eliminating scheduled maintenance blackouts.

How Progent Can Assist You to Move Your POP3 Clients to MS Exchange 2003
Progent's background and tested methodologies can help you to manage a quick, seamless migration of your POP3 clients to Microsoft Exchange Server 2003. Progent attends to critical issues that include managing domain names so that both local and remote users make a hassle-free transition from the restrictions of POP3 email. Progent can assist you with integrating a local Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 system or assist you to locate and manage your Microsoft Exchange 2003 Server in an external Data Center. Progent's disaster recovery consultants can assist your organization to create and execute a complete business continuity plan that incorporates Microsoft Data Protection Manager consulting for ongoing online backup and fast system restoration.

How Progent Can Help You to Migrate to Exchange Server 2013 or Exchange 2016 from Exchange Server 2003
Progent's Microsoft-certified consultants can help your company to migrate to Exchange Server 2013 or upgrade to MS Exchange 2016 Server from Exchange 2003 Server at minimal cost or disruption of business operations. Progent can assist your organization to enhance Microsoft Exchange security, performance, dependability, and fault tolerance and simplify management. Progent's CISSP-certified security specialists can review and upgrade your security strategy and Progent's Cisco-premier network consultants can upgrade your network architecture to improve network efficiency and lower operating cost.

Office 365 Integration with On-premises Exchange
Office 365 Integration Solutions with On-premises ExchangeMicrosoft supports seamless hybrid ecosystems that combine Office 365 and on-premises Exchange. This permits you to have certain mailboxes hosted on your on-premises datacenter and other mailboxes resident on Office 365. Progent's certified Exchange consulting team can help your organization with any phase of planning, implementing and debugging your hybrid Exchange network. Progent's Exchange specialists can provide as-needed support to help you resolve challenging technical issues and also can provide comprehensive project management outsourcing to ensure your hybrid Office 365 solution is carried out on time and on budget. For details about Progent's online consulting support for hybrid Office 365 and on-premises Exchange systems, see Office 365 integration solutions with on-premises Exchange.

Hosting Services for Microsoft Exchange
Progent also can provide MS Exchange Hosting Services based on a world-class data center for Exchange and featuring fast Internet connectivity, dedicated firewall security, patch and service pack implementation, Contact Center services, spam protection, regular data backup, continual monitoring of security and performance, and full email administration support. When moving from an earlier version of Exchange is an ideal time to consider moving to a hosted environment for MS Exchange Server 2016 or Microsoft Exchange 2013 Server in order to save on expenses associated with computer hardware, fail-safe infrastructure, and messaging system management.

If you wish to ask Progent about professional help for Exchange Server integration 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 and mid-sized businesses throughout the U.S., Progent's Microsoft-authorized consultants can provide network help and IT consulting services for the entire array of Microsoft .NET Enterprise Servers and Windows Servers. Progent's planning, integration, update, and consulting services include system architecture, deployment, and management help for project analysis and documentation, on-site and off-site technical support and network repair, Standard Help Desk Call Center Support or Shared Help Desk Call Center Services, comprehensive security consulting, turn-key outsourcing, and ProSight Virtual Hosting services.

If your company requires immediate remote help from a certified network expert, refer to Progent's Emergency Online Technical Help.

Find out more information about Progent's Consulting and Support Services for Microsoft Server Products.

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