Exchange 12 - Improved Messaging Capabilities

The code-named E12 (Exchange 12), is going to be one of the most outstanding upgrades to Exchange that Microsoft has ever released. Here's what you need to know about E12.

A Universal Messaging Store:

• Offers true universal messaging features. Exchange 12 will handle fax, VoIP, and PBX-based voicemail messages within Exchange mailbox-based storage system.

Improvements to Core Technologies:

• Gateway protection by incorporating the current and improved IMF capability.
• Secure messaging technology based on Sender ID that will help prevent domain spoofing and email phishing attacks.
• OWA will be more impressive with E12; will be able access sharepoint and other applications using OWA
  
• Improved meeting scheduling functionalty.

Email and Mobile Devices:

•  Enhanced EAS (Exchange Active Sync) functionalty. OMA (Outlook Mobile Access) will be removed due to wide acceptance of EAS.
• Better device coverage wit WIndows Mobile 5.0 and E12 including Windows Mobile devices, Motorola cell phones, and devices that use the Palm OS.

Role-Based:

• E12 will have an architecture that's based on roles.
  
• Wizard-based UI will help you configure the product to serve in various roles such as edge server, bridgehead server, unified messaging server, client access server, mailbox server, and public folder server.

Better Tools and improved functionality:

• There will be dramatic improvement in UI of ESM (Exchange System Manager) console.
  
• Compatible with new 64 bit version hardware platforms

Development efforts:

•  E12 and Outlook 12 is developing with better co-ordination to ensure improved performance.
  

Whoever interested in upgrading, Microsoft is designing E12 to address most of the complaints and satisfy most of the needs they have voiced over the past years and anticipating a major technology trends that will revelotionalize communications over the next few years. E12 will  be more secure than previous Exchange versions.

It remains to be seen that whether Microsoft will be successful with E12 or not. However, all Exchange solutions providers should begin evaluating this product as soon as possible. (The E12 beta is scheduled for third quarter 2005.) The sheer number of improvements and new features should make E12 a compelling upgrade even to those who have only recently upgraded or migrated to Exchange 2003.

Korean Translation [1] done by Korea Exchange Users Group [2]