14 DAY TRIAL // The first Beta of Exchange Server 2010 Service Pack 1 is now available for download from Microsoft, as the company promised earlier this year, in April. The development milestone is a public release offered to early adopters through the Download Center, and the software giant is encouraging customers running Exchange Server 2010 RTM to grab the bits, test-drive them and provide feedback.
“Exchange Server 2010 SP1 Beta incorporates a number of feature updates including: archiving and discovery enhancements, a faster Outlook Web App (OWA), upgraded mobility features, and several improvements in the management UI,” Kevin Allison, GM - Exchange Customer Experience, noted.
At the same time, the Redmond company is hard at work on the next upgrade for Exchange 2010’s predecessor. While Exchange Server 2010 SP1 is expected by the end of 2010, Microsoft provided no availability deadline for the upcoming service pack for Exchange Server 2007. “We also wanted to let you know that Exchange Server 2007 SP3 is still on track and will be available soon,” Allison added.
Customers can, of course, influence the evolution of Exchange Server 2010 SP1 by testing the release and providing feedback to the company. Microsoft noted that it was monitoring input through a variety of channels including the Technology Adoption Program (TAP), social media channels, the Exchange blog and the company’s technical forums.
“The Exchange team wants to thank each one of you who has taken the time to provide us with your thoughts on the products: what works great, what doesn't, and everything in between. Neither of these important service packs would have been possible without your rich and direct feedback. The Exchange Server 2010 SP1 Beta includes features that you wanted us to prioritize. And your feedback on the need for Exchange 2007 support on Windows Server 2008 R2 is helping us develop Exchange Server 2007 SP3,” Allison said.
Exchange Server 2010 Service Pack 1 (SP1) Beta is available for download here.