Microsoft Pushes Second Beta of Exchange Server 2003

Microsoft Corp. is pushing ahead testing of the next version of its Exchange Server, shipping 45,000 copies of Exchange Server 2003 Beta 2.

The new version of Exchange Server is expected to ship mid-year, following the slated spring release of Windows Server 2003. Outlook 11, the next version of Microsoft’s email client, also is expected to ship this year as part of Office 11.

Exchange Server is Microsoft’s messaging and collaboration. The upcoming version is designed to improve security, availability and manageability features.

JetBlue Airways, which servers 20 cities nationwide with a fleet of 40 aircraft, is a major beta tester, deploying 2,450 versions of Exchange Server Beta 2. According to Microsoft, the airlines plans on deploying 2,400 more seats over the next few months.

Italy’s Guardia di Finanza, a police force operating under the Ministry of Economy and Finance, has reportedly deployed 8,000 seats of the beta software. A Microsoft spokesperson says the organization plans on migrating from Exchange 5.5 to Exchange 2003, upgrading nearly 70,000 seats.