Microsoft Certified Consultants

Introducing Exchange 2003 Server
MS Exchange 2003 Server delivers a dependable, scalable, and manageable infrastructure offering 24×7 messaging and collaboration as well as low cost of ownership. Exchange Server 2003 supports a broad array of team activities, such as group calendaring abilities, discussion areas, and group folders, and also provides access to data across geographic, logical, and architectural barriers with features such as Instant Messaging, on-demand data, and video conferencing. Exchange 2003 Server delivered improvements over MS Exchange 2000 Server in important technologies that cover protection, performance, and remote access.

In 2009 Microsoft terminated support for Exchange Server 2003, forcing information technology managers deal with all the issues involved in supporting an end-of-life email platform. Despite this, a large number of Exchange users are currently operating Microsoft Exchange Server 2003. Progent's Microsoft-authorized network engineers offer in-depth experience maintaining Exchange 2003 and can help your organization to administer and troubleshoot your current Exchange Server 2003 solution or assist you to design and implement an economical upgrade to a current version of Exchange. (See Progent's Microsoft Exchange Server 2016 migration support and Microsoft Exchange 2013 expertise.)

Improvements of Microsoft Exchange 2003 Over Exchange Server 2000
MS Exchange Server 2003 offers enhancements in capability over Microsoft Exchange 2K Server in important capabilities such as recovery, throughput, protection, mobility, teamwork, and manageability.

• Microsoft Exchange 2003 Server delivers enhanced recovery by including the capability of 8-node clustering, quicker cluster failover, support for mount points which overcome the 24-drive designation limit, standard storage area network (SAN) compatibility, Volume Shadow Copy Service for backup infrastructure, a Mailbox Recovery tool, and a Restore Storage group.
• MS Exchange Server 2003 improves responsiveness via features that include a /USERVA startup switch for adjusting the allocation of use of memory, public folder store replication improvements, distribution list performance improvements, and control of Out of Office notices.
• Security improvements introduced by Microsoft Exchange 2003 Server include Internet Protocol security compatibility for front- and back-end clusters, signed Lightweight Directory Access Protocol requests to Active Directory, front-end and back-end Kerberos authentication, Internet Information Services 6.0 security, limiting of distribution lists to validated users, up-to-date Safe and Block data, inbound recipient filtering, attachment restrictions in OWA, and public folders permissions improvements.
• Microsoft Exchange 2003 Server offers improved support for remote and mobile users by adding an Outlook Web Access (OWA) user interface and a broader feature set for Web Outlook, Outlook 2003 performance enhancements through MAPI compression, HTTP compatibility from Outlook 2003, cHTML aND.htmL mobile phone browser support, plus synchronization of notifications for Pocket PCs.
• Management and serviceability are simplified by centralizing queues on a per-server basis, improving the user interface (UI), revealing all system queues, enabling cookie authorization, using Microsoft Exchange System Manager to transfer log and queue data, including a multi-user Move Mailbox function, and adding dynamic distribution lists, public folder Send hierarchy, and public folder affinity to manage referrals.

Improvements of Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 Compared to Exchange 5.5
MS Exchange Server 2003 delivered major enhancements in capability over Microsoft Exchange 5.5 in important areas affecting access, ease of management, security, reliability, capacity, and speed.

• MS Exchange 2003 Server brings a significant improvement in functionality over the Microsoft Exchange 5.5 web client. MS Exchange 2003 Server provides an almost complete implementation of the older MS Outlook interface that features calendaring and tools. Because of this, remote and mobile users have the benefit of complete, protected availability of email even without a notebook. All mobile users require is an Internet-connected computer with a conventional browser.
• Unlike Microsoft Exchange Server 5.5, which incorporates its own directory, Exchange 2003 Server utilizes Active Directory (AD), representing a more streamlined management and security structure. This makes Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 less expensive to administer and maintain and also offers better security.
• Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 has a powerful foundation for seamlessly adding third-party applications such as anti-virus and anti-spamming software. MS Exchange 2003 Server's versatile Application Programming Interface eliminates the instability often found with MS Exchange Server 5.5 when adding third-party utilities.
• MS Exchange 2003 Server offers significantly increased scalability and speed over MS Exchange 5.5. Enhancements allow more and larger mailboxes and faster remote connectivity.
• MS Exchange Server 2003 also offers improved search ability, making it easier and faster to find important information when you have to have it.

Benefits Exchange Server 2003 Over an ISP-based or POP3 Email System
If your business is currently using an email system hosted by an Internet Service Provider (ISP) or if you are running your Outlook clients in POP3 mode, Microsoft Exchange 2003 Server provides an array of improved capabilities in the areas of ease of management, responsiveness, capacity, availability, and group support:

• Unlike the store-and-forward technique used by POP3 email systems, Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 uses a central-store architecture that frees users from reliance on a specific personal computer or notebook, lowers susceptibility to hardware failure or virus attacks, and allows both on-line and off-line email, automatic backup, and advanced sharing and collaboration.
• Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 has an array of collaboration features that permit teams to improve efficiency by sharing scheduling, address books, messages, and files.
• The flexibility of Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 makes it possible to integrate third-party security add-ins or support wireless computers such as the RIM BlackBerry.
• MS Exchange 2003 Server supports powerful management and tracking utilities to confirm that your email system is operating efficiently.
• Exchange 2003 Server allows complete on-line archiving without hurting performance, enabling round-the-clock availability by eliminating routine maintenance blackouts.

How Progent Can Assist You to Migrate Your POP3 E-Mail Users to Microsoft Exchange 2003
Progent's background and proven best practices can enable you to implement a quick, seamless move of your POP3 users to Exchange Server 2003. Progent attends to vital details such as managing domain names so that both local and off-site workers enjoy a smooth upgrade from the limitations of POP3 messaging. Progent can help you with integrating a local Microsoft Exchange 2003 Server solution or assist you to locate and manage your Exchange 2003 Server in an off-site datacenter. Progent's business continuity experts can help you to create and implement a comprehensive disaster recovery plan that includes Microsoft System Center Data Protection Manager support for continuous remote backup and fast system restoration.

How Progent Can Assist You to Upgrade to Exchange Server 2013 or Exchange 2016 from Exchange Server 2003
Progent's Microsoft Exchange experts can help your company to upgrade to MS Exchange Server 2013 or migrate to Microsoft Exchange Server 2016 from MS Exchange 2003 Server at minimal cost or interruption of business. Progent can assist you to enhance Microsoft Exchange security, performance, dependability, and availability and simplify management. Progent's CISM-certified system security specialists can review and upgrade your security environment and Progent's Cisco-certified network engineers can upgrade your network infrastructure to increase network efficiency and reduce support cost.

Office 365 Integration with On-premises Exchange
Microsoft supports transparent hybrid networks that integrate Office 365 Exchange Online and on-premises installations of Exchange. This allows you to have specific Exchange mailboxes located on your corporate datacenter and other mailboxes hosted by Office 365. Progent's Microsoft-certified Exchange consulting team can help you with any phase of planning, integrating and debugging your hybrid Exchange solution. Progent's Exchange consultants can provide occasional expertise to help you resolve challenging technical issues and also offer comprehensive project management outsourcing or co-sourcing to ensure your hybrid Office 365 initiative is successfully completed on schedule and within budget. For more information about Progent's online consulting services for hybrid Office 365 and on-premises Exchange systems, go to Office 365 integration solutions with on-premises Exchange.

Hosting for Microsoft Exchange
Progent also can provide Microsoft Exchange Hosting Services centered around on a world-class data center for MS Exchange and featuring fast Internet access, firewall security, security update and service pack implementation, Contact Center support, spam and virus filtering, routine data backup, automated monitoring of security and performance, and comprehensive email administration services. While you are moving from an older version of Microsoft Exchange is an ideal time to consider moving to a remote managed environment for MS Exchange Server 2016 or Exchange 2013 Server so you can save on expenses associated with computer hardware, fail-safe infrastructure, and messaging system administration.

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

Progent's Consulting Services for Microsoft .NET Server Technology
For small companies anywhere in the United States, Progent's Microsoft-certified consultants can provide computer help and professional consulting support for the whole array of Microsoft .NET Enterprise Servers and Microsoft Windows Servers. Progent's migration, integration, optimization, and support capabilities cover network design, deployment, and management outsourcing for project management and documentation, local and remote technical support and system diagnosis, Standard Call Center Support or Shared Help Desk Services, comprehensive security expertise, turn-key outsourcing, and ProSight Virtual Hosting services.

In case your organization needs immediate online support from a certified consultant, go to Progent's Emergency Online Network Support.

Learn more about Progent's Consulting and Support Services for Microsoft Server Products.