Microsoft offers second beta of Exchange Server 2007

The second beta of Exchange Server 2007 is a "full-featured" release that's more reliable than the previous version and adds new management and mobility features, Microsoft said.

The software includes technologies for confidential business communication and for compliance requirements, the company said. It also allows for access to e-mail, voicemail, calendars and contacts from a wider range of clients and portable devices.

Overall, Microsoft has sought to beef up the capabilities of Exchange Server for mobile users, by offering better e-mail search, for example, and a feature that lets an IT manager to erase data from a device if it is lost or stolen. The full product will be released late this year or early in 2007, the company said.

Microsoft also made available for download the beta of Forefront Security for Exchange, which is the antivirus and antispam software for Exchange Server 2007. The company gave an incorrect link for the download in its statement and a Microsoft representative in Europe couldn't immediately provide the correct link.

The product will be the next version of Microsoft Antigen for Exchange, which was released in June. The Antigen brand name came from Sybari Software Inc., which Microsoft acquired in early 2005. Future products will take Microsoft's new Forefront security brand.

Forefront Security for Exchange uses five antivirus engines to filter viruses and worms while also providing protection against phishing attacks, Microsoft said. The full product is also due to be released later this year or early in 2007.

Remote installations, signature updates and alerts can be managed through a central management console, Microsoft said. The software can be installed remotely through a central management console, through which signature updates, reports and alerts can be managed.