Redmondmag.com features a comprehensive Reader Review on Microsoft Exchange 2007. The review is quite balanced and essentially it comes down to the fact that some of the reviewers see not one silver bullit but a summary of smaller benefits convinced them to deploy / migrate now rather than wait for SP1 or look at alternate solutions …
… Among the major improvements to Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 are better security, more flexible deployment options and easier administration and management. Early users say they’re pleased with the changes but are facing hurdles with widespread deployment.
Besides the fact that Exchange 2007 is a native 64-bit application that often requires new hardware, it also demands a complete overhaul of any current Exchange 2003 infrastructure. Plus, the true benefits of Exchange become clear only when using it with Microsoft’s other new 2007 releases like Office 2007 and SharePoint 2007. …
The review addresses some of the main features :
- Server Roles
… Exchange Server 2007 introduces an expanded concept of server roles. In Exchange 2003 server roles existed, but they were fairly primitive, allowing only for front-end and back-end roles. … - OWA
… Early users are also excited about the revamped Outlook Web Access (OWA) within Exchange 2007. OWA has been overhauled and is now far more feature-rich and robust. The only major complaint users have is that the new features are available only on Microsoft’s own Internet Explorer (IE) browser, and not competitive offerings like Firefox. … - PowerShell
… The revamped Exchange Management Console and the new Exchange Management Shell are probably the most noticeable changes for messaging admins. Based on Microsoft Windows PowerShell technology, the new management shell lets users do most administrative and management tasks from a command-line interface, rather than forcing everything through the GUI-based console. … - Security
… Exchange 2007 has much tighter security than 2003. “If you do the recommended deployment in Exchange 2007 — with your perimeter servers — it’s a more secure and robust model than they’ve ever had,” Montoya says. “They put a lot more thought into the deployment model.” Still, he’s reserving judgment until more organizations roll out 2007. … - Outlook 2007
… Beyond the changes to OWA, the new features aren’t as compelling on the client side. Foint says his users are looking forward to the new scheduling capabilities and out-of-office message flexibility, but both features are available only to users running Outlook 2007, part of the new Office 2007 suite. …
Source: Redmondmag.com
