Introducing Microsoft Exchange 2003 Server
Microsoft Exchange 2003 Server delivers a reliable, scalable, and easy-to-manage platform offering 24×7 email and collaboration as well as quick return on investment. MS Exchange 2003 Server supports a broad range of team functions, including group calendaring capabilities, discussion groups, and group folders, and also gives access to data across geographic, organizational, and architectural barriers with features such as IM, real-time data, and video conferencing. MS Exchange 2003 Server introduced improvements over Microsoft Exchange 2000 Server in key technologies that address protection, performance, and remote and mobile communications.

Microsoft has ended support for Microsoft Exchange 2003 Server, requiring IT management deal with all the problems involved in supporting a legacy email platform. Still, many Exchange users are now running Microsoft Exchange Server 2003. Progent's Microsoft-certified IT consultants have extensive backgrounds supporting Exchange Server 2003 and can help your organization to administer and repair your existing Exchange Server 2003 solution or help you to design and carry out an economical migration to a current edition of Microsoft Exchange. (Refer to Progent's Exchange Server 2016 migration planning and support and Exchange Server 2013 consulting.)

Advantages of Exchange 2003 Vs. Exchange 2K Server
MS Exchange 2003 Server offers enhancements in capability over MS Exchange 2000 Server in important areas such as recovery, throughput, protection, mobile access, collaboration, and manageability.

  • Microsoft Exchange 2003 Server offers improved recovery by including support for 8-node clustering, quicker cluster failover, the addition of mount points which eliminate the 24-drive designation limit, SAN compatibility, Volume Shadow Copy Service for backup infrastructure, a Mailbox Recovery utility, and a Restore Storage group.
  • Exchange 2003 Server enhances performance via features that include /3GB and /USERVA startup switches for adjusting the use of memory and memory address space, public folder replication enhancements, distribution list performance improvements, and suppression of Out of Office notices.
  • Security enhancements introduced by Exchange Server 2003 include Internet Protocol security (IPsec) compatibility for front- and back-end clusters, signed LDAP requests to Active Directory, front- and back-end Kerberos authentication, Internet Information Services 6.0 security, limiting of distribution lists to validated users, real-time Safe and Block lists, inbound recipient filtering, attachment blocking in OWA, and public folders permissions enhancements.
  • Exchange 2003 Server includes improved accommodation of mobile workers by adding an Outlook Web Access (OWA) user interface (UI) and a more extensive range of capabilities for Web Outlook, Outlook performance improvements through MAPI compression, HTTP compatibility from Microsoft Outlook, cHTML aND.htmL mobile phone browser support, and syncing 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 authorization, utilizing Exchange System Manager to transfer log and queue data, including a multiple-client Move Mailbox function, and adding dynamic distribution lists, public folder Search capabilities, and public folder affinity to manage referrals.

Improvements of Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 Over MS Exchange Server 5.5
Exchange 2003 Server offered significant improvements in functionality over Exchange 5.5 Server in key areas affecting access, manageability, protection, stability, capacity, and speed.

  • Exchange 2003 Server brings a dramatic increase in functionality compared to the MS Exchange 5.5 web client. MS Exchange 2003 Server offers a nearly identical version of the older MS Outlook interface including scheduling and utilities. Because of this, remote and mobile workers have the benefit of complete, protected availability of email even without a laptop. All they need is a web-attached PC with a standard browser.
  • Unlike MS Exchange 5.5, which incorporates a built-in directory, Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 uses Microsoft Active Directory, representing a more simplified administration and protection model. This makes Microsoft Exchange 2003 Server easier to manage and maintain and in addition offers tighter security.
  • MS Exchange 2003 Server has a strong architecture for transparently integrating non-Microsoft utilities including virus and spam scanning tools. Exchange Server 2003's versatile API solves the technical risk often found with MS Exchange 5.5 when integrating third-party utilities.
  • Exchange 2003 Server delivers significantly increased capacity and performance over Exchange Server 5.5. These improvements include more and larger mailboxes and faster offsite access.
  • Microsoft Exchange 2003 Server also has improved search ability, making it simpler and quicker to find vital information when you have to have it.

Advantages Exchange 2003 Server Over an ISP-provided or POP3 Email Environment
If your business is now using an email environment hosted by an Internet Service Provider (ISP) or if you are running your Microsoft Outlook clients in POP3 mode, MS Exchange 2003 Server provides an array of enhanced features in the areas of ease of management, performance, size, availability, and group support:

  • In contrast to the store-and-forward technique utilized by POP3 email environments, Microsoft Exchange 2003 Server uses a central-store architecture that frees users from dependence on a specific PC or laptop, lowers susceptibility to hardware failure or viruses, and allows both on-line and off-line email, automatic backup, and advanced collaboration.
  • MS Exchange Server 2003 offers an array of collaboration capabilities that allow teams to increase efficiency by sharing calendaring, address books, messages, and files.
  • The versatility of Exchange Server 2003 allows you to install third-party security enhancements or support wireless computers such as the BlackBerry.
  • Microsoft Exchange 2003 Server supports advanced administration and tracking tools so you can make sure your email environment is running smoothly.
  • Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 allows full on-line archiving without disrupting productivity, enabling round-the-clock operation by eliminating scheduled maintenance blackouts.

How Progent Can Help You to Move Your POP3 E-Mail Users to Microsoft Exchange 2003
Progent's experience and tested best practices can help you to manage a fast, non-disruptive move of your POP3 e-mail clients to Microsoft Exchange Server 2003. Progent pays attention to vital details such as managing domain names so that both local and off-site users enjoy a smooth upgrade from the restrictions of POP3 messaging. Progent can assist you with setting up a local Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 solution or help you to locate and manage your Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 in an external Data Center. Progent's disaster recovery consultants can help you to design and execute a comprehensive workplace recovery plan that incorporates Microsoft Data Protection Manager (DPM) consulting for ongoing online backup and fast data recovery.

How Progent Can Assist You to Migrate to Exchange 2013 or Exchange 2016 from Exchange Server 2003
Progent's Exchange experts can help you to move to MS Exchange Server 2013 or upgrade to Microsoft Exchange 2016 Server from MS Exchange Server 2003 at the least possible expense or interruption of business. Progent can assist your organization to enhance Microsoft Exchange security, speed, reliability, and fault tolerance and streamline management. Progent's CISM-certified system security consultants can review and improve your security environment and Progent's Cisco-premier network consultants can upgrade your network infrastructure to improve network efficiency and lower support cost.

Office 365 Exchange Online Integration with On-premises Exchange
Office 365 Integration Solutions with On-premises ExchangeMicrosoft has made a strong effort to enable transparent hybrid networks that combine Office 365 Exchange Online and local Exchange. This allows you to have certain mailboxes hosted on your on-premises datacenter and other mailboxes hosted by Office 365. Progent's Microsoft-certified Exchange consultants can assist you with any facet of planning, implementing and troubleshooting your hybrid Office 365/Exchange network. Progent's Exchange specialists can provide as-needed expertise to help you resolve challenging technical issues and also can provide comprehensive project management outsourcing or co-sourcing to make sure your hybrid Office 365 solution is completed on time and within budget. To learn more about Progent's online consulting expertise for hybrid Office 365 and on-premises Exchange systems, see Office 365 integration with on-premises Exchange.

Hosting for Microsoft Exchange
Progent also offers Microsoft Exchange Hosting and Management Services based on a world-class data center for MS Exchange and featuring high-speed Internet connectivity, firewall security, security update and service pack control, Help Desk Call Center services, spam and virus protection, regular data backup, automated analysis of security and responsiveness, and comprehensive email management services. When moving from an earlier version of Exchange is an ideal time to move to a remote managed environment for MS Exchange Server 2016 or MS Exchange 2013 Server in order to save on cost associated with computer hardware, fail-safe infrastructure, and messaging system management.

If you wish to get in touch with Progent about technical assistance for MS Exchange Server technology or to ask about Progent's Exchange hosting services, phone 1-800-993-9400 or go to Contact Progent.

Progent's Consulting Services for Microsoft Server Technology
For small companies anywhere in the U.S., Progent's Microsoft-certified consultants can provide computer help and IT consulting support for the entire family of Microsoft .NET Enterprise Servers and Windows Servers. Progent's planning, installation, update, and support capabilities include network design, deployment, and management outsourcing for project management and documentation, on-site and off-site technical support and network repair, Standard Help Desk Call Center Support or Shared Help Desk Call Center Support, certified security expertise, turn-key outsourcing, and ProSight Virtual Hosting services.

In case your organization requires immediate remote support from a Microsoft certified network expert, refer to Progent's Urgent Remote Technical Help.

Read more details about Progent's Consulting Services for Microsoft .NET Server Technology.

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