Exchange 2010 SP1

Service packs are in the air, apparently. Despite Exchange 2010’s recent launch, Microsoft is already at work on SP1. Yes, Exchange 2010 SP1 will aggregate the product and security fixes that shipped since the product launched. But it will also include new capabilities, including better mail archiving, Outlook Web App (formerly Outlook Web Access) improvements, and better management functionality. Let’s look at these closely.

Mail archiving. Although Exchange 2010 includes integrated mail archiving capabilities, this feature is enhanced in SP1. It will offer the option to provision individual users’ personal archives to a different mailbox database other than their primary mailbox, import historic email from client-side PST files, and provide controls so that admins can delegate access to a user’s Personal Archive. A new multi-mailbox search feature will make it easier to find email for legal or regulatory reasons.

Outlook Web App. Microsoft’s web-based Exchange client is being updated again with a visual refresh, better performance through pre-fetching and asynchronous delete, the ability to mark as read and categorize operations, and public shared access to calendars. Some features from previous OWA versions are returning, too, like UI themes, and the ability for users to move the reading pane.

Management. With SP1, the Exchange Management Console (EMC) and Exchange Control Panel (ECP) are being enhanced to provide access to new management tasks, many of which relate to Retention Policy Tags that can help automate how email is deleted and archived. Other new features are coming in Exchange 2010 SP1 as well, and it’s starting to shape up as a major release. Microsoft expects to deliver it by the end of 2010.

Source of Information : Windows IT Pro June 2010