Overview of Windows Exchange Server versions currently available in Wiresoft Shop
In Wiresoft's online store, you will find not only the latest version of Exchange Server 2019, but also the previous versions, for which Microsoft support is usually available. This allows you to add to your current server licenses in the respective version at a reasonable price or even upgrade to a higher version. The following Exchange versions are available in Standard and Enterprise editions:
For all server licenses for Windows Exchange Server available in Wiresoft Online Shop, you can also find the corresponding client access licenses, with which you can equip your employees in a customized and at the same time cost-effective way.
To use Windows Exchange Server as a desktop application, Microsoft Outlook is recommended as the client software, but it is not part of any of the Exchange Server versions. If you do not use the Outlook software included in the Office package, you can purchase Outlook and Microsoft Exchange Server together from Wiresoft.
Below you will find a brief overview of the most important features and innovations of the respective server versions, more detailed information is available on the respective product pages and also directly from our team - by email, phone or chat.
Exchange Server 2019
Microsoft Exchange Server 2019 is currently the latest version of the proven messaging platform with extensive user-defined and therefore flexible functions for messaging and company-wide collaboration. Here, Exchange places even more emphasis on secure e-mail traffic, supplemented by comprehensive options for appointment coordination, task completion and contact management. In addition, the mailbox server role offers a significant improvement in performance with Exchange Transport, Mailbox Transport Submission, Mailbox Transport Delivery and Frontend Transport. Exchange Server applications can be deployed both on-premises and in the cloud. Key features in Exchange 2019 include:
- Meta Cache Database (MCD) for backing up meta information such as a mailbox's folder structure and accelerating access and search.
- Dynamic Database Cache (DDC) for dynamically adjusting storage capacity based on the situation, especially during high workloads.
- Reorganization of the search index - it is now located directly in the respective database of a mailbox.
- Windows Server Core provides simplified execution of the standard version of the server system, making configuration easier and disabling unnecessary but resource-intensive services, while providing fewer points of attack.
- Client Access Rules make it possible to restrict access to the server configuration area, both for the Admin Center and for PowerShell.
- Many calendar enhancements, especially related to the organization of meetings, including the functions Standard- Default End Date, Do Not Forward, Improved Calendar Management, as well as more options for configuring out of office messages and assigning a proxy via PowerShell.
- OneDrive for Business offers improved document collaboration, integrating both locally stored and online files.
Exchange Server 2016
Microsoft Exchange Server version 2016 offers the highest level of control and at the same time transparency in the organization of e-mail traffic as well as the
Control and management of other communication processes. Emails and contacts can be managed and archived centrally, and collaborative work on documents, including version management, has also been improved. By reducing the server roles to two - mailbox and edge transport - the server architecture has been optimized while simplifying scaling, including better support for cloud services. Exchange Server 2016 has the following key features, among others:
- Outlook on the Web is the new name for Outlook Web Access or the Outlook Web App. Web Access to Exchange Server provides an optimized web interface that can be used without first installing the Outlook app on a smartphone or tablet.
- The eDiscovery search architecture works asynchronously as well as decentrally, involving multiple servers. When entering search terms in Outlook or Outlook on the Web, suggestions appear based on frequently used contacts as well as emails, calendars and previous searches including filters such as date ranges.
- Improved search scalability increases the number of mailboxes as well as archive mailboxes from 5,000 to 10,000.
- Files stored in OneDrive for Business and SharePoint 2016 can now be easily inserted as a link in an email and opened by the recipient.
- Hybrid scenario support allows a mailbox to reside either on an on-premises server or in the cloud. Local mailboxes can also be used via Exchange Online archiving or Azure Rights Management.
- Data Loss Prevention (DLP) protects the security of data in email traffic, both when sending confidential information and when receiving manipulated emails.
Exchange Server 2013
Exchange Server 2013 provides a range of practical features that make collaboration between employees and teams efficient and transparent. Particular attention has been paid to the control and protection of critical data without hindering business processes. At the same time, the management of mailboxes as well as calendars has also been optimized, including the reduction of server roles to three - with: Mailbox Server, Client Access and Edge Transport. All Exchange Server functions can be deployed locally as well as in the cloud. The Outlook Web App has an improved user interface: touch screen support extends the use of Exchange 2013 to mobile devices as well. The following features are also among the major innovations in the 2013 server version:
- The Intelligent Search feature helps improve not only the quality of search results, but also communication within the company: Information can thus be retrieved from various sources and summarized.
- The Compliance-eDiscovery feature offers improved integration with Microsoft Lync 2013 and Microsoft SharePoint 2013, which now enables searching of website mailboxes.
- In-place eDiscovery simplifies data discovery with streamlined search and indexing capabilities, this also makes it easier to meet compliance requirements.
- Simplified email transport with the Mailbox Server role, which consists of Front-End Transport Service (FET), Hub Transport Service (HT), and Mailbox Transport Service (MT), replacing the previous Hub Transport Server role. The Unified Messaging service contains the functions previously performed by the Unified Messaging server role.
- Exchange Admin Center (EAC) includes the previous Exchange Management Console (EMC) and Exchange Control Panel (ECP); at the same time, it is optimized for on-premises as well as online and hybrid deployments.
- Journal Report Decryption provides the option to protect email via Information Rights Management - IRM - in Microsoft Outlook as well as the Office Outlook Web App.
- Data Loss Prevention - DLP - not only prevents data loss, but also prevents sensitive data from being accidentally or intentionally sent to unauthorized individuals.
- ActiveSync Mobile Access allows mobile devices to synchronize with the Exchange mailbox and also access calendars, contacts, and tasks.
Exchange Server 2010
Exchange Server 2010 is a popular version of Microsoft's groupware software that is still used in many companies as an e-mail transport server and for managing appointments and tasks. As a result, Microsoft is offering extended support for Exchange Server 2010, expected through October 2020, inclusive.
Exchange server 2010 convinces by reliability, efficiency and its large range of functions for the e-mail traffic - which have numerous improvements as well as extensions particularly for Outlook Web Access as well as the administration, supported by the flexibility in the application of many functions as well as the adherence to compliance regulations. Configuration is done via PowerShell, while WebServices control access to e-mail mailboxes as well as public folders and replication. Other features and innovations worthy of special mention include:
- Outlook Web Access or the Outlook Web App - OWA - offers the search folders familiar in Outlook as well as favorites for sorting e-mails, including multiple views, for example for the calendar, as well as the archive function. Outlook 2010 can be connected to multiple Exchange accounts without the need to create a separate profile.
- Online archiving of e-mails on the Exchange server allows them to be accessed from anywhere. Email storage is individually defined with retention period policies, facilitating compliance.
- Unified Messaging now offers a single inbox for e-mails, voicemails as well as SMS and fax; voicemails can also be delivered as e-mails using the Speech2Text function or displayed on the smartphone as a text preview.
- User administration is possible either via the Exchange Management Console, Remote PowerShell or via Outlook Web Access. OWA offers its own management interface for this purpose, and Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) also grants individual employees defined rights, such as for managing distribution groups.
- The Mailbox Resiliency feature provides a high availability option in addition to disaster recovery. The Database Availablity Group (DAG) feature also allows Exchange databases to be copied between different servers, with replication using transaction logs.
- Organizing e-mail conversations is further facilitated by a host of handy features; these can be organized as threads as well as by topic, with Conversation View sorting e-mails accordingly, Ignore Conversation hiding unimportant e-mail conversations. The Office Communicator feature OC shows the presence status of colleagues and Consistent Experience unifies the operation of functions on PC, cell phone or the web. The journaling feature enables compliance rules to be followed.
The Microsoft licensing model for Exchange Server with server license plus CALs
Licensing for Microsoft Exchange Server versions consists of the server license and the number of client access licenses (CALs) required. According to Microsoft, the following provisions must be observed:
1. Each individual server requires its own Exchange Server license.
2. The server license includes access rights for administrators to manage the Exchange Server - but these do not represent usage rights for Exchange Services.
3. Each employee who wants to use the Exchange Server functions must have a client access license - CAL - for this purpose.
4. CALs for Exchange Server are available in two variants: as person-related User CAL and as device-related device CAL.
What are the server licenses for Exchange Server editions?
For each edition of Exchange Server - usually Standard and Enterprise - there is a separate server license. By purchasing them, you acquire the right to implement the respective server software on your corporate server. The main difference between the two editions is the number of available mailbox databases:
- Already the Standard-Edition 2010 supports up to 5 mailbox databases and is thus often sufficient for the requirements of small and medium-sized companies.
- The Enterprise edition, with its support for up to 100 mailbox databases, covers the requirements of large companies and organizations.
The functional scope of the respective edition of Windows Exchange Server 2010 is controlled by the client access licenses. These are therefore not bound to a specific Exchange edition, so that with a Enterprise CAL you can also use Exchange Standard Server, and with a Standard CAL Exchange Enterprise Server. The CAL for the Exchange Enterprise editions is an add-on to the CAL for the Exchange Standard editions.
Further information about licensing with CALs can be found here or for the individual Exchange Server versions in the Wiresoft Online Shop.
License purchase and license consulting for Exchange Server at Wiresoft
In the Wiresoft Online Shop you will find all licenses of the described server versions - from Exchange 2008 to Exchange 2019 - in the Standard- and Enterprise- edition as original Microsoft license products. In addition, we offer you the matching client access licenses to use the functions and services of the respective edition; you can conveniently purchase these individually and thus cover your CAL requirements in a customized and at the same time economical way.
You benefit from our special, reduced prices for all server licenses as well as CALs: These come from European companies, are unused and therefore fully operational. In addition, they have been checked by Wiresoft for 100% authenticity. As a Wiresoft customer, you are always on the safe side when purchasing licenses - and in addition, you can also take advantage of our expert advice for any questions you may have - in online chat, by e-mail or even by phone.
