News
Microsoft Ships Betas of Exchange Server 2007, Forefront Server
Microsoft announced this week it is shipping the second beta test version
-- which is also the first public beta test -- of Exchange Server 2007, as well
as Forefront Server for Exchange Server.
As previously reported, with Beta 2, Exchange 2007 is feature complete and
on track for commercial release either late this year or in early 2007, according
to a prepared statement from Microsoft.
The company has
said it is concentrating on three main themes in the next version of its
by-now mature messaging server -- anywhere access, including Microsoft's
unified communications plans, as well as built-in protection and operational
efficiency.
Among the enhancements coming in Exchange 2007 are the ability for users of
handheld devices to search for messages that they have deleted from the handheld
but still reside on the server. Another will be improved meeting handling, self-service
remote device wipe through Outlook Web Access, support for HTML e-mail and the
ability to flag messages.
Exchange 2007 will also allow improved collaboration through a feature called
Calendar Concierge and out-of-office improvements, which depend on Office 2007,
as well, according to the company.
Additionally, it has begun beta testing of Forefront Server for Exchange Server.
In June, Microsoft renamed its Antigen products, which use multiple virus scanning
engines to protect Exchange Server and SharePoint, to the new Forefront branding.
The Antigen products were acquired by Microsoft in June 2005 when it bought
out Sybari Software. Following the acquisition, Microsoft discontinued Sybari's
products for Linux and Unix.
Microsoft announced
the Forefront branding at the company's TechEd 2006 Conference in Boston.
Besides Forefront releases for Exchange 2007 and SharePoint, which the company's
Web site has pegged for shipment in the second half of this year, the company
is also shooting to have releases for the desktop, called Forefront Client,
and for Office Communications out in the first half of 2007. A release for Internet
Security and Acceleration Server is scheduled for release in the second half
of 2007 or later, according to statements on the site.
Exchange Server 2007 beta 2 is available for download here.
Forefront Security for Exchange Server beta can be downloaded here.
Scott Bekker contributed to this report.
About the Author
Stuart J. Johnston has covered technology, especially Microsoft, since February 1988 for InfoWorld, Computerworld, Information Week, and PC World, as well as for Enterprise Developer, XML & Web Services, and .NET magazines.