Microsoft Exchange Server 2010 review

Server-side archives are also good for legal compliance, making it easier to respond to discovery orders. Other changes in this area include Legal Hold, which freezes a mailbox, and deeper integration with Information Rights Management (IRM) using Microsoft's Rights Management Services. You can now apply Outlook Protection Rules as well as Transport Protection Rules, and IRM is also supported in Outlook Web Access.

Pricing and licensing

On-premise Exchange follows the typical Microsoft model of server plus CALs (Client Access Licences). Although it is great value when bundled into Small Business Server (for which version 2010 is not yet available), the costs soon ramp up for larger organisations.

As Exchange 2010 requires Server 2008, so you need to purchase a server licence for both Windows and Exchange for every server instance, and at least two are recommended. Each user must have a Windows CAL and an Exchange CAL. In addition, the Outlook client must be purchased separately or as part of the Office suite. External users are licensed with a per-server External Connector.

Outlook Web Access now works as well in Firefox and Safari as in IE.

Microsoft offers Standard and Enterprise versions of both Exchange Server and its CALs, but these can be mixed and matched. The Enterprise Server is for scaling and resiliency, while Enterprise CALs enable additional features such as voicemail with Unified Messaging, custom retention policies, and information protection.

A further twist is that Information Rights Management comes with its own server and CAL requirements. The details are spelt out here, though for actual prices it is necessary to contact a Microsoft partner.