Overview The latest release of Microsoft® Windows® Server 2008 (R2) incorporates numerous updates making it the most advanced Windows Server operating system. For FACSys® and FACSys® Web Access (FWA), the improvements made to the operating system allow better integration with the server core while simplifying the administration and installation of the system. The following outlines some of the key changes to Microsoft Windows Server 2008 (R2) and how they are of benefit to FACSys, FACSys over IP, FWA and FACSys users. Extended Functionality and IIS 7.5 In Windows Server 2008 (R2), Microsoft introduces its latest Internet Information Server (IIS) 7.5. In this version, it unveils the ability for extending IIS functionality. This feature will allow FACSys and FWA to appear as a natural extension and as an integrated component of IIS. The result will be a simplified maintenance and administration of both FACSys and FWA via IIS 7.5. It will eliminate the need to perform additional manual steps in configuring the software to work with IIS. Using FWA with all of the improvements in IIS 7.5, such as a dedicated Best Practice Analyzer tool, Request Filter Mode and configuration logging will provide a more secure internet platform while making it easier to administer and maintain. Improved .NET Support Most applications designed to run on Microsoft Windows Server rely on a development framework from Microsoft called .NET. Several versions of .NET are available today, from 2.0, 3.0, 3.51, to the latest 4.0. Different applications require different versions of .NET to be downloaded and installed on the server in order to make the application work. With Windows Server 2008 (R2), every version of Microsoft .NET is available as an installed option. This means that there is no need to source, download and manually install the particular .NET version. Simply enable the .NET version required in the server configuration and applications such as FACSys and FWA are ready to run. Better Identity Management FACSys is designed to work together with Microsoft’s Active Directory Services. For Windows Server 2008 (R2), Microsoft has improved user identity management by allowing the recovery of deleted objects - a simplified method for joining domains and reducing the effort required to maintain user identities on the server. These improvements directly translate as enhancements to FACSys, as the management of user accounts in FACSys are directly from Active Directory. Tighter Integration with Windows® 7 Recently, Windows® 7 was released as the latest Microsoft desktop operating system. A significant improvement over previous desktop operating systems, such as Windows XP and Vista, it has a stronger security framework and much improved performance by utilizing today’s multi-core CPUs for desktop computing. FACSys Desktop Client is compatible with Windows 7. When the tighter integration of Windows Server 2008 (R2) is combined with Windows 7, it translates to: Simplified remote connectivity for mobile users of FACSys by eliminating the need to install a separate VPN software Better security for remote connectivity via Windows 7 while providing access to intranet resources without installing additional software on remote computers - including public computers or internet kiosks Better performance through higher fault tolerance due to connection failures or device outages - in short, less disconnects Together with RemoteApp & Desktop (RAD) introduced in Windows 7, it allows virtualization of the desktop on the server Virtualization Windows Server 2008 (R2) not only virtualizes the server, but together with Windows 7 it can virtualize the desktop/workstation environment using Microsoft’s Hyper-V. Consequently, both the server and the desktop gain the following improvements in virtualization found only in Windows Server 2008 (R2): Increased performance and hardware support for Hyper-V Improved virtual networking performance Simplified method for physical and virtual computer deployment Improved RemoteApp and desktop connection Improved RemoteApp and desktop management FACSys Server with FACSys Web Services are certified to work in Hyper-V. FACSys Server can be virtualized in Windows Server 2008 (R2) to utilize the latest virtualization improvements in the server operating system, while at the same time virtualize the FACSys Desktop Client within the server. This will simplify supporting desktop systems as well as remote systems - all through virtualization. The increased hardware support in Windows Server 2008 (R2) for Hyper-V will also translate to better support for FACSys over IP, using either the FACSys FoIP boardless fax solution or Dialogic’s SR140 boardless fax software. Advanced File Management Services FACSys can store both inbound and outbound fax messages in the server. Using the Windows File Classification Infrastructure (FCI) in Windows Server 2008 (R2), these files can be classified to automatically determine: Which files should be stored in a high or lower security location in the network Which files contain keywords deemed sensitive and should be automatically encrypted Which files are dated and should be automatically deleted In Windows Server 2008 (R2), FCI keeps the theme of reduced administration and simplified maintenance of the server. FACSys Supports Windows Server 2008 (R2) FACSys Foundation and Enterprise, FACSys over IP and FACSys Web Access support Windows Server 2008 (R2). As a long standing Microsoft Gold Certified Partner, the team at emFAST ensures that the investment made by customers in both FACSys and Microsoft products is safe and sound - through ensuring compatibility and integration between the products. For FACSys customers currently using Windows Server 2000, there isn’t a better time to upgrade to the new Windows Server 2008 (R2) - as support for the former ends on July 13, 2010. As FACSys supports Windows Server 2008 (R2), the upgrade should be seamless, while reaping the benefits of a better operating system for the server and FACSys, improved performance for existing hardware, a stronger security system, optimized integration with SQL - all combined in a system that is easier to administer and manage.