ARCHIVED: What is Microsoft Exchange software?

Note: UITS recommends that you use the current version of Microsoft Outlook to take full advantage of the Exchange server features. The Exchange client does not offer any true Outlook calendar functionality. Consequently, if you are using an Outlook calendar in your Exchange server mailbox, do not use the Schedule+ software that came with Exchange 5.0. If you do, you may end up with two different calendars on the server.

Exchange is a multipurpose client/server messaging product released by Microsoft in 1996 to replace Microsoft Mail. The first release of both the client and server was version 4.0. You could install the Exchange client on a Windows or Macintosh workstation and use it to read, write, and manage email. It handled mail from other sources (e.g., POP3 mail) and managed other kinds of messaging (e.g., faxes and CompuServe mail).

The version of Exchange that shipped with the first release of Windows 95 was later renamed Windows Messaging on Windows 95 OSR2.

Exchange clients also allow you to work off line: reading, answering, and managing email while your computer is disconnected from the network. The next time you connect, the Exchange client will receive new mail and send accumulated outgoing mail through the Exchange server, Internet Mail, or whatever services you set it up to use. The central Exchange server hosts mailboxes, public folders, and Microsoft Schedule+ records. For more information on the Exchange server at Indiana University, see What version of Microsoft Exchange Server does IU use?

With the release of Microsoft Office 97 in 1997, Microsoft introduced Outlook as a replacement for the Exchange client. Version 5.0 of the Exchange client exists for Windows 95, 98, NT, and the Macintosh. On the Windows platform, the Exchange client can also be integrated with Microsoft Schedule+, a calendar and scheduling program. In the Macintosh version, these programs are already integrated.