New Outlook Web Access Enhancements Make OWA more like Outlook

December 20, 2007, Toronto, Canada – Messageware (www.messageware.com), the world’s leading provider of enterprise productivity and security solutions for Microsoft Office Outlook Web Access (OWA), today announced the release of four productivity applications for Exchange 2007 SP1 that save mobile and remote workers time and money.

According to Ferris Research, the typical business user sends and receives 600 emails per week. For mobile workers or employees working from outside the office, webmail can be cumbersome to use because of its limited functionality as compared with the desktop. This adds up to several hours of lost productivity, equating to hundreds or even thousands of dollars lost per worker per week. Multiply that by the number of workers in the enterprise, and companies today are unnecessarily losing a large chunk of time and money that is critically needed in today’s fast-paced and highly competitive global business world.

“Business professionals today are relying on much more than mobile devices to remain in touch while out of the office,” said Mark Rotman, President & CEO of Messageware. “OWA is an integral part of an organization’s mobile connectivity strategy and by enhancing it, it can save an organization time and money.”

Messageware’s intuitive productivity applications for OWA and OWA Light 2007 — ActiveSend, AttachView, CalendarShare and Plus Pack — boost employee efficiency and collaboration by transforming OWA into a robust thin client email solution with functionality similar to desktop Outlook. Emails and documents can be composed and sent easily, and users can more efficiently schedule meetings and book shared resources. The result is that individuals are able to be highly productive regardless of their location.

CalendarShare is the only calendar enhancement software for OWA 2007, building Outlook-like calendaring functionality into OWA. It enables users to view multiple calendars side-by-side, view side-by-side calendars in day, week and month formats, tracking meeting attendee requests and book resources conveniently. CalendarShare supports Outlook delegates for manager/assistant relationships.

Plus Pack makes it easy and efficient for users to compose and send professional looking emails from any location by adding Outlook-like features that improve the user experience. Plus Pack for OWA 2007 adds enhancements such as addressing from Sharepoint and Public Folder contact lists and the ability to create and manage an unlimited list of their favorite contacts, which then appear using OWA’s type-ahead functionality. Plus Pack simplifies and streamlines addressing with Rolodex-style address browsing and the ability to view address lists in a meaningful hierarchy, and provides spell check, personal dictionaries that roam with the user and thesaurus.

AttachView extends OWA 2007’s new WebReady Document Viewing feature to 300 file types and adds additional productivity features such as viewing Microsoft Word documents in Final or Markup mode, Zoom and Rotate features that make it easier to view faxes or images, Hyperlinked table of contents for easy navigating through lengthy documents and printer-friendly formatting.

ActiveSend integrates OWA with the desktop and other Microsoft Office applications by setting OWA as the default email for Windows and the desktop. ActiveSend enables the File/SendTo command from within the application, as well as “Mail to” functionality on web pages, using OWA as the default email. With ActiveSend, OWA users no longer have to save documents to their local computer and attach files to an email, saving time and effort.

Messageware’s OWA Suite for Exchange 2007 is priced per CPU based on an organization’s messaging environment. Small business pricing is available for enterprises with fewer than 100 mailboxes. For more information about Messageware’s solutions for Exchange 2007 visit http://messageware.com/exchange2007.html.

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About Messageware

Founded in 1993 and headquartered in Toronto, Canada, Messageware develops and markets solutions that enhance and secure Outlook Web Access. A trusted Microsoft Gold Certified Partner and a Global Exchange ISV for 15 years, their applications give companies of all sizes the ability to enhance, secure, and customize OWA. Messageware products give organizations a greater return on their Microsoft Exchange investment, delivering solutions for over 2500 enterprises and four million users worldwide, including Fortune 500 companies and industries such as banking, education, financial services, government, healthcare and law. For more

information, visit www.messageware.com.

Messageware Press Contact: Carol Arnold, Arnold Communications, (877) 718-4604 x2, carol@arnoldcomm.com.

Here are the details of the January MMMUG meeting.

This event will be held in London at the MS offices near Victoria.

Ben Appleby from MCS will be back to talk us through all things backup and recovery.

The session will take a detailed look at the System Center Data Protection Manager platform in relation to Exchange and will delve into the concept of VSS backups be that software or hardware snapshots.

The meeting will be held on Wednesday 23rd January.

To sign up see the thread here:

http://www.mmmug.co.uk/forums/thread/1862.aspx

Here are the details of our February MMMUG meeting.

This event will be held in London at the MS offices near Victoria.

This month we have our most popular speaker back! Yes; Jason Langridge will be with us this time talking all about Window Mobile device management. Jason will cover the recently announced System Center Mobile Device Manager 2008 and enhancements to Exchange 2007 Service Pack 1.   Jason will run through all the options and let us know what is the best route for management.

Jason will also share the roadmap for Windows Mobile.

The meeting will be held on Wednesday 27th February.

To sign up see the thread here:

http://www.mmmug.co.uk/forums/thread/1863.aspx

Alright we have already made some progress in regards to improving the quality of the videos we’re offering here on MSExchange.org. The major problem with the first one we published was the actual quality was poor, since we only can stream it in 480×360 resolution. But we’re now offering higher resolutions (1024×768) for the nominal fee of only $1.99! To see a short sample video in 1024×768 resolution, click here.

You can also watch the “Upgrading to Exchange 2007 SP1” video in 1024×768 resolution by clicking the “buy” button which will be visible while watching the low resolution video here.

Hello everyone! As many of you already have seen, we have now begun to provide small video tutorials here on MSExchange.org. The first one, which covers how you upgrade an Exchange 2007 multi-role server to Service Pack 1, were published just an hour ago.

By judging from the ratings so far the video doesn’t receive all fives, so it could be interesting to hear your opinion on what’s good and what’s not? What’s your expectations to this type of service offering, and what can we do in order to improve it?

Is it the content? The video quality? Or something else? All feedback both good and bad, please sent it this way either to my email alias: Henrik AT msexchange.org or simply by commenting on this post.

Thanks!
Henrik

You can download the service pack here and read about what improvements as well as new features it includes here.

Don’t miss out on this guide which originally was written for MCS and PSS!

Brief Description

This document is a step-by-step guide to help end users install Exchange Server 2007.

Overview

Exchange Server 2007 Updating Support Skills on Setup and System Management was written by Microsoft Customer Service and Support to prepare Support Engineers who are assisting customers installing Exchange Server 2007 Service Pack 1 (SP1). We hope that you find the step-by-step approach useful and appreciate any feedback.

Finally the wait is over! This impressive book, which not only includes all chapters from my How To Configure Exchange Server 2007 book, but also have a SQL and IIS section finally arrives to Europe. It will be ready for ordering at Amazon UK and all the other online booksellers the 17th of December 2007, that is in a weeks time.

This is the perfect Christmas present for yourself!

Synopsis
Exchange, SQL and IIS are at the core of most Microsoft enterprise servers. The 2007 releases of these products, along with the release of Windows Vista and Windows 2008 Server, represents the biggest overhaul of Windows enterprise products since Windows 2000. The dramatic changes to security tools and the addition of features that support “anywhere access” present IT professionals with a steep learning curve. Making certain that these products are configured to meet regulatory compliance requirements adds addtionaly complexity to day-to-day management network management.”The Best Damn Exchange, SQL and IIS Book Period” delivers an all-in-one reference for Windows System Administrators deploying the 2007 releases of these core Microsoft servers. The coverage is comprehensive, and provides users with just about everything they need to manage a Windows enterprise server. Special Bonus coverage includes how to gather and analyze the many log files generated by these servers. The all-in-one coverage includes: Exchange, SQL, and IIS Servers; integrated coverage on all key security features; and bonus coverage includes analyzing server logs and integrating Communicator 2007.

Pre-order it here.

Access Sharepoint and Public Folder contacts, Outlook-style Addressing, Extend WebReady Document Viewing to Over 300 file types, View Side-by-Side Calendars

December 4, 2007, Toronto, Canada – Messageware (www.messageware.com), the world’s leading provider of enterprise productivity and security solutions for Microsoft Office Outlook Web Access (OWA), today announced the availability of the Messageware OWA Suite for Microsoft Exchange 2007. Drawing on its position as a long-standing Microsoft Gold Certified partner, the company is introducing Exchange 2007 SP1 enhancements that improve the OWA user experience while adding critical security enhancements that keep security in the hands of Exchange Administrators and the IT department.

Messageware’s solutions are ideal for the majority of enterprises today that need to support a growing mobile workforce, whether that be employees using shared workstations when traveling, a sales force that works away from the desktop or students needing to collaborate outside of the classroom . Messageware OWA Suite 2007 extends the value of Exchange 2007 by enabling companies to use Outlook Web Access more securely and adding Outlook-like features that improve the user experience and save time when using email away from the desktop. Messageware OWA add-ons make OWA easier for the user, while giving Exchange administrators the confidence to deploy OWA without compromising security.

The cost-effective Suite consists of six award-winning security and productivity applications that seamlessly integrate with Exchange 2007 — ActiveSend, AttachView, CalendarShare, NavGuard, Plus Pack, and TimeGuard. With ActiveSend, CalendarShare and Plus Pack, the user experience is improved by making Outlook Web Access more like Outlook, so emails and documents can be composed and sent easily. In addition, users can more efficiently schedule meetings and book resources such as conference rooms or equipment from any location. AttachView, NavGuard, and TimeGuard secure vulnerabilities in OWA that can expose entire email accounts or confidential documents to unauthorized users.

• AttachView – Extend and Enhance WebReady Document Viewing with over 300 file types, with granular security settings that put control in the hands of the administrator, not the user. AttachView also adds advanced viewing features such as the ability to view files without the native application, viewing Word documents in Final or Markup views, Zoom/Rotate and much more.
• Plus Pack – Intuitive, Outlook-like addressing, Rolodex-style address book, ability to create and manage unlimited Favorites, access to SharePoint contact lists, advanced Spell Check, roaming personal dictionaries and more.
• ActiveSend – Integrates OWA 2007 with Microsoft Office and desktop applications, allowing users to quickly and easily email files from within applications, using Outlook Web Access as the default email
• CalendarShare – Makes scheduling group meetings and managing shared resources easier by viewing multiple calendars side-by-side and delegate support that gives users access to view and edit appointments on behalf of others
• NavGuard – Protects against hijacking of abandoned OWA sessions by prompting when a user navigates away from an active OWA session, and requiring the user to either logoff or return to the active session. Security settings can be configured based on users, groups, IP addresses and corporate resources/notebooks.

• TimeGuard – Provides a user-friendly alternative to forms-based authentication, by prompting a user after a period of session inactivity, with the option to extend the session or logoff. Security settings can be configured based on users, groups, IP addresses and corporate resources/notebooks.

“Businesses today rely heavily on email for both internal and external communication and this communication needs to continue in the most effective and secure way possible, whether users are in the office or working remotely,” said Mark Rotman, President & CEO of Messageware. “By using Messageware’s OWA Suite for Outlook Web Access 2007, companies are able to keep employees productive from any location, minimize exposing confidential information to unauthorized people and overall, compete more effectively in an increasingly competitive business environment.”

Messageware’s OWA Suite for Exchange 2007 is priced per CPU based on an organization’s messaging environment. Small business pricing is available for enterprises with fewer than 100 mailboxes. For more information about Messageware’s solutions for Exchange 2007 visit www.messageware.com.

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About Messageware

Founded in 1993 and headquartered in Toronto, Canada, Messageware develops and markets solutions that enhance and secure Outlook Web Access. A trusted Microsoft Gold Certified Partner and a Global Exchange ISV for 15 years, their applications give companies of all sizes the ability to enhance, secure, and customize OWA. Messageware products give organizations a greater return on their Microsoft Exchange investment, delivering solutions for over 2500 enterprises and four million users worldwide, including Fortune 500 companies and industries such as banking, education, financial services, government, healthcare and law. For more information, visit www.messageware.com.

Messageware Press Contact: Carol Arnold, Arnold Communications, (877) 718-4604 x2, carol@arnoldcomm.com.

3CX’s software-based phone system frees businesses from proprietary hardware with an easy to install, manage and use SIP-based IP PBX

London, UK - 05/12/07 – 3CX has announced the release of version 5 of 3CX Phone System for Windows; the newest version of their award-winning software-based VOIP PBX for Windows which helps businesses give employees mobility, rids them of costly phone tag and reduces administration and training time by IT staff.

3CX Phone System allows businesses to completely break free from the shackle of hardware-based, proprietary phone systems. Built on the open SIP standard, 3CX Phone System interoperates with all popular SIP phones, VOIP Gateways and VOIP providers.

Nick Galea, CEO at 3CX said, “We are excited to deliver version 5 of 3CX Phone System at a time when the market is realizing that proprietary, hardware-based PBXs are becoming obsolete. 3CX IP PBX is a modern software based PBX that evolves the communication of businesses to the 21^st century, by delivering mobility, productivity and cost-saving advantages”.

Key advantages of adopting 3CX Phone System:

- Increases mobility – allows remote workers and tele-workers to be seamlessly integrated to the company’s phone system

- Eliminates expensive telephone tag using the inbuilt Presence feature

- Easier phone system administration via a web-based configuration

- Vendor independent – significant cost savings by choosing VOIP provider and SIP equipment of choice

“The feedback we have received from clients following the successful deployment of our previous versions in thousands of sites is very positive, and I feel confident that with all the great new features that we have incorporated in this new version, our product will help SMBs get even more advantages out of the migration to a software based PBX in a cost-effective and innovative way”, added Nick Galea.

Key new features of 3CX Phone System v5:

- Call recording – easily record calls for monitoring purposes

- Phone provisioning – set-up new extensions automatically

- Firewall friendly VOIP client with included mini VPN – ideal for remote users

- Integrated fax server

- G729 codec support

- 3CX bridges for branch offices

- SIP Trunking support

And many other features that make 3CX Phone System easy to install, configure, manage and use; allowing employees to increase mobility and productivity.

Four available editions: Small Business, Pro, Enterprise and Free

3CX Phone System for Windows is available in four editions, all supporting an unlimited number of extensions: The Small Business edition supports up to 8, the Pro edition up to 16 and the Enterprise edition up to 32 simultaneous calls. Pricing is very competitive: Small Business costs €375, the Pro runs at €795 and Enterprise costs €1150.

3CX Phone System Free edition

A Free edition, supporting an unlimited number of extensions, is also available. The main differences with the commercial editions are that it is not possible to buy a support package for the Free edition, it does not offer fax, call queuing, Exchange 2007 support, call pick up and call parking, MWI, presence (to check extension status of other users), remote configuration of extension options, G729 codec support, 3CX Bridges (to connect remote branch offices) and call recording. Not withstanding, the Free edition does more than most commercial PBXs do; it includes an auto attendant and Unified Messaging. The Free edition can be downloaded from http://www.3cx.com/phone-system/download-phone-sys...m.html.

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About 3CX

3CX is an international developer of telecommunications software, headquartered in Europe with offices in Cyprus, USA, UK and Hong Kong. It is a Microsoft Gold Certified partner and is backed by an experienced management and development team. Its product, 3CX Phone System for Windows, developed specifically for the SMB market, has earned Windows Server 2003 Certification and has received numerous awards, including the TMC Labs 2007 Innovation Award, The Windowsnetworking.com Gold Award, as well as, the IT EXPO Best of Show award 2007, all in recognition to the company’s commitment to innovation and quality. 3CX maintains a global presence with offices in four countries and localized information available in German (www.3cx.de), Spanish (www.3cx.es), French (www.3cx.fr), Italian (www.3cx.it), Swedish (www.3cx.se), Norwegian (www.3cx.no), Finnish (www.3cx.fi), Dutch (www.3cx.nl), Portuguese (www.3cx.com.br), Japanese (www.3cx.jp), Simplified Chinese (www.3cx.cn) and many other languages. 3CX keeps a comprehensive IP PBX, SIP and VOIP FAQ on its website covering all the most common questions on the topic.

Useful Links:

3CX website: www.3cx.com

3CX Case Studies & Testimonials - http://www.3cx.com/clients/index.html

3CX Phone System Free, Small Business, Pro and Enterprise editions comparison table - http://www.3cx.com/phone-system/edition-comparison.html

IP PBX, SIP & VOIP FAQ - http://www.3cx.com/PBX/SIP-faq.html

Nick Galea’s blog – www.nickonit.com

Press Contact:

3CX

Blanca Garcia

bg@3cx.com

Tel: +357 22444032

Are you too lazy to install Exchange 2007 SP1 RTM in your lab environment? Then fear not, the VHD for the RTM version has now been released.