Use this summary of features in the new Microsoft Exchange 2013 to better understand this service, and how it applies to your productivity.

What is Microsoft Office Exchange?

Microsoft Exchange is so named because it helps facilitate communication.

While Outlook is Microsoft's user-commanded email application, for example, exchange is the service that actually delivers, or serves, the email. As a server, Exchange can be either automated or self-managed, depending on user preference.

Exchange also gives businesses email storage and spam filtering capacity than the Outlook application, while still offering calendar and contacts.

With Exchange, employers can support these functions across desktops, laptops, and smartphones, as well as offering a web version called Outlook Web Access (OWA). Work done in OWA is synced once the device is connected to a network again.

The Office 365 Environment

Exchange Online and Office 2013 are both housed in a cloud environment called Office 365.

Learn more about it: Office 365 and Office 2013. . .What's the Difference?

Microsoft asserts that its newest version of Exchange, whether online or offline, offers organizations more control.

The new Microsoft Exchange Server 2013 is available in the traditional offline format, or in the subscription Microsoft Exchange Online format ($4-8 USD/user per month).

Learn more about it: Understanding Office Suite Subscriptions

New and Improved Features in Microsoft Exchange 2013

1. Security and Data Loss Prevention
   
   Microsoft Exchange connects users, but it also protects an organization's communication. Microsoft claims to offer customized options regarding individual organizations' compliance requirements.
   
   Exchange also now comes with anti-malware protection.
   
   Data Loss Prevention text analysis capabilites allow Exchange to present users with customizable Policy Tips, which signal policy violations as content is authored.
   

1. Big Data
   
   Remote and local teams send valuable intel through email. That includes an ever-increasing number of multi-device users. The latest Microsoft Exchange facilitates more devices, and the effective flow of more email volume.
   
   Flexible Migration to the Cloud
   
   Not all Office 365 plans are the same, and neither are all Microsoft Exchange services the same.
   
   Some companies will opt for cloud immersion, but most are going to want to control how quickly they move into it and will seek more of a hybrid cloud solution, with some services in the online cloud and others on location.
   
   Check out Hybrid Deployment in Exchange Server 2013
   
2. Voice Mail Integration
   
   Microsoft Exchange also streamlines voice mail into the email inbox (a text version and the regular audio).
   
3. Lower Costs and Less Management
   
   Microsoft asserts that users will experience lower costs with Microsoft Exchange, due to improvements which increase mailbox size per user and ready the service for modern computer hardware.
   
   In particular, the Exchange Administration Center (EAC) provides clarity and eases delegation.
   
4. Surge Deflection
   
   Surge deflection in Microsoft Exchange now offers additional peace of mind. The service intuitively postpones non-priority work so users remain productive.
   
5. Compliance with eDiscovery
   
   The new eDiscovery Center is a one-stop data center for Exchange, Lync, and SharePoint, which all eases compliance woes.
   
6. Public Folders
   
   Say goodbye to arduous email threads with public folders in the new Microsoft Exchange (offline or online versions). Discussions can be stored, indexed, and searched.
   
7. Touch Interface Option
   
   Fully utilizing the new Windows 8 interface, touch interface options in the New Microsoft Exchange work for desktop, laptop, tablet, or smartphone.
   
8. Better People Search, Social Contact Syncing, and Calendar
   
   Contact cards can be synced with your user's contacts from social sites (only LinkedIn during early stages).
   
   Type right into calendars, in both Outlook and OWA. Additional calendar views and Peeks for upcoming events allow you to more quickly manage your commitments.
   
9. Apps from Office Marketplace in the New Microsoft Exchange
   
   Apps for Microsoft Office are available for both the Outlook application and OWA. Adminstrators can monitor which apps are allowed for each end user. Again, control is the focus for this newest version of Microsoft Office Exchange.
   

How to Try Microsoft Exchange 2013

If you would like to try Microsoft Exchange 2013, here are some links:

Download Exchange Server 2013 Preview

Try Exchange Online as part of Office 365 Enterprise Preview

Please let me know if you have any questions.