Microsoft Exchange is a computer server that centrally stores a company's email, files, task lists, calendar and contact information. Here are a few reasons Exchange is the world’s most popular business messaging platform:

• Mobile access: Easy access to email for handhelds like the BlackBerry, Treo or Windows Mobile devices.
• Centrally stored information: Allows email, files and other company data to be accessed from anywhere at any time.
• Shared calendars: Lets employees see colleagues' availability to schedule or rearrange meetings, book conference rooms, and plan projects.
• Shared task lists: Allows 'to do' lists to be created and assigned, then shared with team members.
• Shared contacts: Company or shared address books means important contact details will never be lost or misplaced.
• Outlook Web access: Allows for email and information access through an Internet Web browser.

Users can view email, calendars, task lists, contacts and more through Microsoft Outlook on a desktop or notebook PC, Web mail or a handheld wireless device.

POP or IMAP mail is the basic flavor of email that became popular in the 1980s. It gives you an email address with your own domain name (yourname@yourbusinessname.com) but does not allow shared calendars, contacts and files, or wireless email.

Some companies use older email systems, such as Lotus Notes or Novell. These offer some of the functionality of Outlook/Exchange, but have fallen behind in terms of user-friendliness and features. They are also not compatible with Microsoft Outlook, the preferred email tool of most companies.

• Industry
• Legal
• Entertainment
• IT
• Consulting
• Real estate
• Financial Services

• Business email
• What types are available?
• What is Outlook/Exchange?
• Why 'hosted' Outlook/Exchange?

• Web hosting
• Overview

• Exchange environment
• Overview
• Datacenter
• Network
• Infrastructure