Microsoft yesterday introduced two types of Client Access License (CAL) for Exchange 2003, allowing a single user to access Exchange from an unlimited number of devices and permitting an unlimited number of users, outside of a company, to access Exchange
The licenses are called Per User CAL and External Connector License. The Per User CAL starts at $69 while the External Connector License price is based on users’ volume pricing agreements.
The company also announced that Exchange 2003, released to manufacturing yesterday, would remain at the same price as its predecessor product, Exchange 2000. Standard Edition is priced $699 and Enterprise Edition $3,999.
Microsoft said it had recognized that during these tight economic times customers wished to get the most value out of their software.
However, the company appears to be utilizing every weapon at its disposal in an attempt to persuade users to finally abandon Exchange 5.5, the precursor to Exchange 2000. Microsoft estimates between 40% to 60% of its installation base remains on Exchange 5.5.
One hindrance was Exchange 2000’s use of Active Directory, introduced with the underlying Windows 2000 operating system. Product manager Missy Stern said wizards and tools would walk users through the upgrade, from planning to migration.
Features include Active Directory Migration Tool (ADMT) 2.0 and Active Directory Connector (ADC) for replication between the Exchange 5.5 directory and Active Directory.
Systems administrators also have more flexibility in architecting systems running Exchange 2003. Standard Editions of the server can now be used as a front-end server, deployed outside the firewall or for features like load balancing, taking the pressure off back-end Exchange 2003 servers. Previously, only Enterprise Edition servers could be used.
Other features are targeted at mobile users. These include wireless access through the integration of Mobile Information Server, synchronization of content without using a cradle, caching so an end-user can work with local data meaning only updates are passed to a server, and data compression that Stern claimed ran at 40%.
Outlook Web Access, used to access Exchange from a device like an airport terminal, has been improved to support features likes a spell checker, server-side rules and ability to clear the cache when a user finishes their session.
Changes to licensing, meanwhile, are designed to attract organizations with fluid user populations. The Per User CAL is targeted at mobile workers who access Exchange from a number of PCs, laptops or PDAs.
The External Connector License is for organizations such as universities running an e-mail system for alumni. The Exchange Per Device CAL remains available, enabling users to access Exchange through a single device, like a kiosk.
Stern said the new CALs give customers more flexibility and, combined with feature improvements, would finally persuade those on Exchange 5.5 to abandon the software. The whole combination is going to be very exciting for customers, she said.
Source: Computerwire
