2006 Products Of The Year

APPLICATION SOFTWARE
Microsoft Exchange 2007

The release of Exchange 2007 marks a new beginning in the messaging space, earning the software the Product of the Year nod for application software.

Slide Show: Top 10 Products Of The Year

What used to be offered in a single Exchange 2003 product is now spread through a series of roles-based servers. The new modular architecture further reduces the load from client connections and allows for better scalability and failover reliability. The roles also simplify deployment and improve administration options for VARs.

Most server roles are optional, with the exception of Client Access, which operates as the middle tier for other server roles, especially for Exchange mailbox servers.

No doubt the big changes will introduce some complexity, so the Test Center recommends VARs attend as much training as Microsoft makes available. Because the new architecture is more expensive, it might increase overall management in the long term as administrators add more end-user functionality in a distributed environment. However, the improved traffic management might outweigh those considerations.

Exchange 2007's new Edge Transport server role, while optional, might prove crucial as a first line of defense against spammers. It is best deployed on a DMZ and can be made to filter out all incoming Internet messages. When combined with Microsoft Forefront Security, Edge Transport server provides antivirus protection. Forefront also provides content filtering to reduce spam. With Forefront installed, virus updates are automatic.

Partners also have the option of using the Exchange Hosted Filtering managed service. Microsoft has a number of data centers throughout the United States staffed with antispam technicians. Their role is to proactively identify spammers and quickly implement new antispam policies.

Out of the box, Exchange 2007 arrives with many new filtering features, far surpassing Exchange 2003 and major competitive messaging servers. Some key new filter features are open proxy validation, IP-based safe lists and admin quarantines.

Pricing for server licenses and standard Client Access Licenses is the same as Exchange 2003, but Exchange 2007 introduces the Enterprise Client Access License, which includes Software Assurance. The price for Exchange Enterprise is $3,999 and the Client Access License is $67, which includes calendaring, mobile device access and basic antispam.

-- Mario Morejon