Microsoft plans to update Exchange Server 2007 by releasing a new service pack late next year, allowing the mail server to run on Windows Server 2008 R2. The company is also increasing support options for Exchange Server 2003 SP2 on Windows Server 2008 R2.

“Exchange 2003 SP2 will now be supported against writeable Windows Server 2008 R2 Active Directory servers,” the team notes. ”Additionally, with the general availability of Exchange Server 2010, and [for] those looking to standardize on Windows Server 2008 R2, we have enhanced the supportability of forest and domain functional levels up to Windows Server 2008 R2. This change is effective immediately on Exchange 2003 SP2.”

Microsoft issued an “Exchange Server Supportability Matrix” document in August outlining operating system support for all of its mail server products. However, that  document has not yet been updated to reflect the changes promised above. Microsoft plans to include additional support details for Exchange Server 2010 in the next version of the document.

Microsoft Press and notable web author William Stanek have teamed up to create “Microsoft Exchange Server 2010 Administrator’s Pocket Consultant.” This real life book(with paper and everything!) is 668 pages and helps administrators tackle the main tasks that befall them with the new program. The book can be purchased here. Below is the full description:

”

• Buy 2 Get 1 Free
• Free Shipping
• 100% Satisfaction Guarantee

The Ensim Corporation has announced it will begin offering Exchange 2010 support for it’s varied management support products. They are the first company in it’s market sector to offer such support, and this should give them a competitive edge. Ensim is the leading provider of change management, user provisioning and access control software. All of these will make the transition to Exchange 2010.

“Our rapid support for the latest Microsoft infrastructure, including the Exchange 2010 beta, is a testament to the deep technical expertise and flexible product architecture that characterizes Ensim’s award-winning suite of Microsoft management tools,” said David J. Wippich, president and CEO of Ensim Corporation.

The changes can be found in Ensim’s Unify Enterprise Edition.

There was once a time when Microsoft waited a long time between operating systems, too long to most. However, that time has come and gone. On the eve of the release of Windows 7 comes word that that company is already developing windows 8, with an eye for a 2011 release. This news comes to us via several job postings the company has recently listed in various areas, including Ars Technica. The text of one job posting reads:

“Do you want to help ready the entire partner ecosystem on all the new Microsoft products and solutions? The Partner Skills Development Team is looking for a senior thought leader and skilled project/product manager to ensure the health of the partner ecosystem through the strategic evolution skills development framework (and its execution) for upcoming Microsoft product launches. For example, in Fy10, the focus will be on Windows Server R2, SQL Server R2, and Wave 14 (Office 2010, SharePoint 2010, and Exchange 2010) and, as we head into Fy11, the focus will quickly switch to Windows 8. In this role you will lead the execution of partner skills development BOMs - by partner type for the entire partner ecosystem - on a WW basis. This role with interact with and influence individuals from across Microsoft, including individuals within the Worldwide Partner Group, Microsoft Learning, SMSGR, the product groups (BGs), Operations, and partner segment teams with SMSG.”

Make it happen guys! And at least it will be out before the dreaded 2012 cataclysm. That Bill Gates. Always thinking.