Exchange Server 2010 provides a collaboration environment that delivers secure messaging capabilities to recipients inside and outside an organisation. Besides a powerful email server, it supports group scheduling capabilities, discussion groups, team folders, mobile and web access, and a host of other features.

Exchange Server 2010 Enterprise Edition is designed for large organisations. It allows up to 100 databases, each with a database storage limit of 16 TB. Smaller organisations should consider Exchange Server 2010 Standard Edition.

Enhancements in the 2010 edition include:
• Integrated email archiving, retention policies, and search capabilities
• A new unified mailbox resilience model that provides high availability, disaster recovery, and backup capabilities
• New self-service capabilities to help users perform common tasks without calling the help desk

The 2010 version requires x64 hardware (Intel EM64T or AMD64), which makes more efficient use of memory and storage than 32-bit hardware. It also features numerous improvements in protection, remote access, and operational efficiency. If your server computer does not support x64 software, a downgrade to Exchange Server 2003 is available through Microsoft's Volume Licencing Service Center.

Important: The 2010 version requires a 64-bit system.

Licencing: This product includes a server licence. Every user or device accessing Exchange Server must have a standard Exchange Server user or device client access licence (CAL). Enterprise Exchange Server CALs (user or device) are needed for certain server functions; they can be used only in conjunction with standard Exchange Server CALs.

Acquiring the Installation Media: To activate this product, you might need a volume licence key or setup code.

Features:

• Under the Software Assurance programme, customers acquire the right to install any new release of products covered in the agreement during the term of their coverage.
• With unified messaging, users can receive their email, voice mail, and faxes through a single inbox that can be accessed from anywhere.
• Integrated antivirus, anti-spam and anti-phishing technologies stop the latest threats.
• New database availability groups of up to 16 mailbox servers can be configured by administrators for automatic, database-level recovery from failures
• Advanced management tools help administrators save time and reduce effort.

Requirements:

Hardware:
• x64-architecture-based computer with Intel processor that supports Intel Extended Memory 64 Technology (Intel EM64T) or AMD processor that supports the AMD64 platform; Intel Itanium family IA64 processors are not supported
• 4 GB or more RAM per server plus 5 MB of RAM recommended for each mailbox
• Hard disk:
o 1.2 GB free space on the hard disk where you install Exchange Server 2010
o 200 MB of free space on the system drive
o Additional 500 MB free space per language if installing language packs for Unified Messaging beyond those included in the default installation
o Disk partitions formatted for the NTFS file system, not the FAT file system
• DVD drive, local or network accessible
• 800x600-pixel (or higher) display

Software:
• Windows Server 2008 SP2 x64 Standard, Enterprise, Datacenter; Windows Server 2008 R2 Standard, Enterprise, Datacenter; Enterprise or Datacenter editions of Windows Server 2008 are required for Mailbox Resiliency features
• For installing Exchange Server 2010 management tools: Windows Vista; Windows 7; Windows Server 2008

If the following required prerequisites are not already installed, the Exchange Server 2010 setup process prompts and provides links to the installation location:
• Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 SP1
• Windows PowerShell v2.0

Price: £186.00 + VAT