Microsoft Exchange 2007 nears completion

Microsoft has launched a second beta of Exchange Server 2007 as well as a test version of the Forefront Security for Exchange Server product.

The vendor enters the "home stretch" with the beta release, claimed corporate vice president of the Exchange business unit Dave Thompson.

The Forefront technology scrutinizes incoming email by up to five anti virus engines in an effort to catch phishing scams, viruses and worms. In an attempt to minimize the impact on system performance, scanning will be coordinated across edge, hub and mail servers.

The Exchange utility is the first product to be released under Forefront brand that over time will be expanded to a full suite of enterprise security products. Microsoft previously marketed the software as Antigen for Exchange, which it acquired in 2005 as part of the Sybari Software acquisition.

Exchange Server 2007 promises increased protection of confidential communications while complying with data retention legislation.

The software also is a key piece of its unified communications strategy that Microsoft unfolded last month. The company seeks to allow users access to their email and voicemail from a slew of devices, while allowing automatically routing incoming communications to the most appropriate device.

The final versions of both products are slated for availability later this year or early 2007, Microsoft said.