Microsoft Exchange Server is among the world’s most popular email messaging and collaborative systems. Due to its advanced-level structuring, yet user-friendly interface, it’s utilized by businesses and corporations of all sizes. While you may be familiar with Exchange, and perhaps you even utilize this service for your email communications, there are several elements you must remember while you integrate it into your business. By understanding the following three elements, you’ll have a greater hold on what Microsoft Exchange Server is and how it interacts with your business.
Microsoft Exchange Server is an Application Extension
Perhaps one of the most important elements all business owners should understand prior to integrating this system into their communications department is Microsoft Exchange Server is an application extension. That is to say, Microsoft Exchange requires the Microsoft Windows operating system in order to operate. Typically, the latest version of the Windows is recommended for enhanced compatibility - or if you’re planning to migrate Exchange into a pre-existing network. It’s essential that you check the operating system requirements for the Exchange version you wish to install. For example, the most recent version of Microsoft Exchange requires a 64-bit operating system. For the best integration results, it’s best to install a fresh version of Windows before you integrate Exchange into your system to avoid any complications.
Exchange Requires a Dedicated Active Directory
Another essential element you must be aware of when it comes to the installation and implementation of Microsoft Exchange Server is to realize that Exchange requires a dedicate active directory. That is to say, it must be physically installed and managed on a single computer. Prior to installing Microsoft Exchange, it’s vital that the active directory be properly configured. In the most basic sense, the active directory works as the domain supervisor. Selecting the domain name to install and host your Exchange Server is essential as it’s associated with all mailboxes within the Exchange Server.
Ensure Your Exchange Server is Properly Optimized
This is especially important if you’re running a nonprofit and you’re using lower quality hosting, as hosting that’s often donated may be on underpowered or on overcrowded servers. Webhostingbuddy, a popular tech tips site says that it’s often best to ensure that you’re monitoring your servers to ensure that if your mail goes down, you know about it right away instead of finding out after it’s too late. You can read other details here about that.
Establish Sufficient Mailbox Quotas
While this may seem like a “no-brainer” for most IT managers, you’d be surprised how many enterprises encounter errors simply because they did not allow ample mailbox quotas. It’s important that your mailboxes be outfitted with enough storage space to save not only incoming message, but archives messages and sent emails. So what would happen if your mailbox quota was not large enough? The assigned account would no longer be able to send or receive messages. If you’re referring to the primary mailbox for customer interactions, this could prove to be detrimental as all email communications would cease until the mailbox quota is raised. As a general rule of thumb, the minimum mailbox quota for continued operation is 2GB.
Ensure that You’re Continuously Testing Your Apps
Continuously testing your web apps in an important thing to ensure that they are functioning properly. If you aren’t testing, you can’t improve. With that said, there are a number of free and paid options available for web app testing. Looking at sites that put this information together for you, or doing your own research online should help you decide on a solution.