Exchange 2010 offers improved high-availability capabilities, new archiving and compliance solutions, support for new client-side features, and increased performance. The improvements could help organizations cut deployment and maintenance costs by using less expensive hardware while reducing downtime and dependency on third-party solutions to supplement Exchange deployments. The new client features enabled by Exchange 2010, such as conversation thread tools and voice-mail text preview, could save end users time and increase their productivity. However, organizations should review the new licensing terms for possible cost increases.

High Availability

• The LCR, CCR, SCR and SCC mailbox database continuous replication technologies introduced in Exchange 2007 are replaced with Database Availability Groups (DAGs), which rely on Exchange 2010’s new database mobility.
• Mailbox move can now be run asynchronously.
• Shadow Redundancy assists the Transport Dumpster to improve resiliency for Transport Servers.
• Backupless deployments using lagged replicas may be feasible for some deployments.
• New high availability features may overlap some current ISV Exchange solutions.

Archiving and Retention

• Personal Archive gives Exchange users a server-based archive mailbox.
• Retention Tags allow administrators and end users to tag folders and messages with retention policies that can move, archive, and delete message items under specified conditions.
• Cross-mailbox search, Legal Hold, and the new Exchange Control Panel (ECP) Web-based user interface help compliance personnel investigate and lock down mailbox contents.
• New archiving and compliance features may overlap some current ISV Exchange solutions.

New Client Features Enabled

• Outlook Web App (OWA, formerly Outlook Web Access) adds new features and user interfaces that expose new features enabled by Exchange 2010 and bring it closer to parity with Outlook.
• New client features include conversation view, voice-mail text preview, MailTips, and SMS message integration.
• Outlook Mobile improved with new user interface and features, while administrators have new options for managing device connections to Exchange.
• ECP and its Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) offload tasks from IT personnel by providing end users with new Web-based user interfaces.
• Outlook 2010, expected in 2010, gets more capabilities when connected to Exchange 2010.

Packaging, Pricing, and Licensing

• Standard and Enterprise edition definitions and changes from Exchange 2007.
• Standard and Enterprise Client Access License (CAL) definitions and features available with each.
• Client-side licensing cost may increase over Exchange 2007 depending on the Open, Select, or Enterprise Agreement program purchased.