Exchange 2010 Beta Available

Exchange Server 2010, formerly code-named Exchange 14, is now available in an open public beta. The messaging server product adds integrated archiving to simplify mailbox management and help organizations comply with legal regulations. It also includes streamlined management tools that let administrators delegate more tasks to end users (such as distribution list creation); reduced disk activity, which could allow organizations to use lower cost direct-attached storage solutions; and improvements to its high-availability capabilities.

When used with Outlook 2010, expected to be generally available in the first half of 2010, Exchange 2010 will support a unified inbox that includes voice mail and offers users a text preview of voice messages. Also, conversation threads will be collapsible to reduce inbox clutter and users will be warned when replying to large distribution lists and when sending a message outside their organization.

Exchange 2010 also provides a new Outlook Web Access Web client that brings features currently offered only in Internet Explorer to Mozilla Firefox and Apple Safari.