Exchange and Outlook Overview

New features and enhancements in Exchange 2013 include architecture and administration simplifications (such as a reduction in server roles and integrated on-premises and Exchange Online management); data sharing with SharePoint; Outlook Web App (OWA) updates such as offline access and a new user interface designed to work better on touch-based devices; more ways to handle messaging policies (such as retention and searching); built-in antimalware tools; and improvements to public folder infrastructure. Exchange 2013 is compatible with Exchange 2007 and later and Outlook 2007 and later (not with Exchange 2003 or Outlook 2003). Exchange 2010 SP3 is required for Exchange 2010 coexistence with Exchange 2013, and Exchange 2007 SP3 Update Rollup 6 is required for Exchange 2007 coexistence with Exchange 2013. Coexistence with Exchange 2013 also requires Exchange 2013 Cumulative Update 1.

Outlook 2013 became available to all volume licensing customers in Dec. 2012 along with the other Office 2013 products. It brings new features and improvements such as better handling of add-ins; more efficiency with local data files; a new contacts view, which consolidates contact information from social networks; and integration of weather information on the calendar. Outlook 2013 RT (for Windows RT device users) was announced in June 2013 and will arrive later in 2013.