The ZAG Technical Advisor

February 10,  2005                                                                                              Volume 1, Number 1

In This Issue

 

·    ZAG Earns Microsoft Gold

·  Exchange 2003 Features

Relevant Links

·  ZAG Technical Services, Inc.

·  Microsoft Exchange

·  Smart Phone Integration

·  Integrated Rights Management

Contact Us

http://www.zagtech.com

info@zagtech.com

 

ZAG Awarded Microsoft Gold

 

San Jose, California — February 7, 2005 —  ZAG Technical Services, Inc. (ZAG), today announced it has attained Gold Certified status in the Microsoft Partner Program with competencies in Advanced Infrastructure Solutions, Information Worker Solutions and in Networking Infrastructure Solutions, recognizing ZAG’s expertise and total impact in the technology marketplace.

As a Gold Certified partner, ZAG Technical Services, Inc. has demonstrated expertise with Microsoft technologies and proven ability to meet customers’ needs.  Microsoft Gold Certified Partners receive a rich set of benefits, including access, training and support, giving them a competitive advantage in the marketplace.

“We are extremely pleased to have attained Gold Certified status in the Microsoft Partner Program. This achievement allows us to better serve our customers and ensure our engineers have access to the latest offerings from Microsoft,” said Austin Ahern, President of ZAG Technical Services, Inc. “The benefits provided through our Gold Certified status will allow us to continue to enhance the offerings that we provide for customers.”

Technology Report:

Exchange 2003 Features

 

 

There are a huge number of improvements in Exchange 2003.  We would like to take this opportunity to review a couple of them.  Some of them, we’re sure, you may be aware of.  Some others may be new to you, however.

 

Simplified Remote Access

 

One of the greatest improvements with Exchange 2003 is how users can access it through Outlook.  Outlook 2003, running on Windows XP, has the ability to use RPC/HTTPS: to access the server.  What this means is that you no longer have to work off line when you are connected to the Internet outside of the office.

 

You access your Exchange information in the same manner regardless of where you are located.  If you are disconnected from the Internet, you can still read your email and send messages.  Once you connect to the Internet, your Outlook synchronizes with Exchange and all of your messages are sent.

 

In the past, a VPN between the client and the server would have been required.  These VPNs were cumbersome and difficult to manage and support.   With Exchange 2003, remote access has now been made easy.

 

Smartphones

 

Another great benefit of Exchange 2003 is their Smartphone integration.  A built in function of Exchange 2003, this integration allow users to connect to Exchange and synchronize their email, contacts, calendars and tasks.  This functionality is fully integrated into Exchange, so when you send a message via your Smartphone, it shows up in your Outlook sent folder.

 

While I wouldn’t recommend composing large emails through a Smartphone interface, they are a great way to receive emails and always stay in touch.

 

Please check with your Wireless provider about the availability of the Smartphones and the cost of the packages that you will subscribe to to send the data.

 

Information Rights Management (IRM)


Another new option with Exchange 2003 is the Information Rights Management (IRM) feature.  IRM allows a sender to limit what can be done with emails that are sent. 

 

Specifically, you can use IRM to:

  • Write an e-mail that cannot be forwarded.
  • Collaborate on time-sensitive information that will become inaccessible after a certain time.
  • Create documents and e-mail marked “Confidential” that stay inside your organization and are inaccessible to unauthorized users.

To access IRM, open an email and click on the button displayed above.  IRM will need to be installed in most cases on the Outlook client.  In addition to Outlook, it also integrates into Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Internet Explorer.

 

IRM does require some configuration on the client side, but you may find it useful in securing your data.

 

Summary

 

There are many great improvements in Exchange 2003.  This letter has just briefly touched on three of them.  If you would further details about these, or any of the other functionality of Exchange 2003, feel free to contact us.

 

 

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