Connect the distributed mail system into a robust system by Exchange Server 2007: Kawasumi Chemical Co., Ltd.

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There are three email systems and 4 domains

　Before introducing a new mail system, Kawasumi Chemical Industries had three email systems.In order, the most early introduction was hosting, the next system was Linux, and the third was Exchange 2000.

　The major reason for introducing a new system by Exchange Server 2007 was the integration of the three email systems, but why was the three systems mixed in the first place?

川澄化学工業株式会社 システム部 システム管理課 シニアリーダー 石田裕二氏

"When e -mail began to be used in the world, we first introduced it in -house using the hosting service. However, as the hosting increases, the cost is high. We have a factory in Oita Prefecture.However, factory employees often contact the company and rarely exchange emails with the outside, so I thought that if you build an email server with Linux, you can issue as many free accounts as you like.So. In addition, Exchange 2000 was introduced for the purpose of using groupware, but ultimately it will be used only for exchanging emails and schedules in the company "(Ishida).

　As a result of the introduction of the necessary systems on the spot, three different email systems were mixed.As a result, it was also hindered by individual employees.

"As a result, there were four domains in the company, so when you send an email inside the company, you can use an account for an in -house account, or if you put it out of the company.It was in a state where the employee's daily work was also hindered, such as needing to switch, "(Ishida).

　Certainly, this situation is not desirable.Not only in terms of business efficiency, but also in terms of account management and server management and maintenance, there are many disadvantages in security and compliance.As a solution, the introduction of a new mail system was urgently rushed.

Consider integration of mail systems by Exchange Server 2007

　So what was the reason why Exchange Server 2007 was selected as an integrated email system?

川澄化学工業株式会社 システム部企画課 リーダー 緑川毅氏

"One reason was the affinity with Active Directory. Since the use of Exchange 2000 has been managed by Active Directory, there was an advantage that if you unified to Exchange, you can centrally manage users with Active Directory.(Mr. Midorikawa)

　Linux systems were also considered, but the reason why Linux was originally introduced was the initial introduction cost.Therefore, it was not an idea to make a new investment in the Linux system.At the same time, the Linux system was not adopted, as there were shortage of human resources who could continue to operate and manage.

　The fact that the in -house system has changed and the role required for the IT system has also significantly boosted the integration of mail systems by Exchange Server.

"I needed to review the business processes of the entire company, but it was our system department that I was able to grasp the business and system of the entire company, so our job is thinking about planning and business processes.It changed, and the system development and management that I have been doing has been outsourced to the outside, "(Mr. Midorikawa).

Select Dell at high technology + high -performance hardware + low cost

　Thus, the construction of a new mail system will be entrusted to Dell, but in the early stages of system examinations, there was no Dell in the options.

"In fact, I had the image of" a company that sells hardware such as Dell -server ". When I started considering Exchange, I was talking to Dell's sales person.It became a topic of Exchange and I learned for the first time that Dell is providing a construction service. "(Mr. Midorikawa)

　Later, he had a meeting with Dell engineers, but at that time Midorikawa was surprised at their high technical skills.

"We also used Exchange, so we had some knowledge. When we had a meeting with Dell engineers, I felt honestly" this is amazing "for their knowledge and skills. Regarding Exchange.I immediately found that each person was a hardware professional, server professional, and infrastructure professional, as well as knowledge and skills.

　In selecting vendors, hardware performance costs were also considered.

"Dell has been highly evaluated by comparing the performance of the hardware. This determined the hardware, and the hard maker Dell had a high technical skills introduced by Exchange, so it was only cost."(Mr. Midorikawa)

　At that time, the introduction of Exchange 2007 was still a few in Japan, but in that respect, Dell was ahead of other companies.This experience helped to reduce costs, said Shuhei Morishima, who was involved in system construction, (Dell Corporation Solution Service Infrastructure Consulting Consulting Service Consulting Part 2 Technical Consulting).

"I had experience building a system by Exchange Server 2007, so I knew where and what risks were. Cost than other companies who had to add invisible risks to cost.I was able to control "(Mr. Morishima)

　In this regard, in terms of cost, Dell's solution was greatly appealing to Kawasumi Chemical Industry.

　As a result of the three elements of engineers, high -performance hardware, and low cost backed by experience, Dell has started a new email system for Kawasumi Chemical Industry.

左からデル株式会社　ソリューション・サービス本部の服部氏、森嶋氏、冨所氏、東日本営業部の渡邊氏

Ensuring the redundancy of the system by duplicating the server

　Let's take a look at the new system introduced here.The system configuration is shown in Fig. 1.The feature is that the server is duplicated.Midorikawa said that he did not initially assume such a robust system.

【図1】川澄化学工業のメール。アカウント数は750個

　"In the introduced system, we maintain redundancy by duplicating the server, but at first we did not consider the system so far, but we realize the need for duplication in the process of repeated meetings with Dell.This is now. As a result, it has become the current configuration, but I think it was really good to double it. "(Mr. Midorikawa).

　The mailbox server is duplicated in a cluster configuration and is connected to SAN storage.The SAN storage is a clone copy of the disk -disk, and the clone is sucked up on the backup server and dropped it to the tape.In order to backup clone data, there is an advantage that the email system is not put on during the backup, and it is possible to back up several hundreds of bytes in a few minutes.

　In addition, Outlook Web Access (OWA), which can access the mailbox in the browser, has been introduced.It is very popular not only for outsiders but also for employees who want to access from home.In addition, employees working at overseas bases can access emails by OWA.

　This time, I also set up ActiveSync, the function of Exchange Server 2007.At present, WILLCOM's W-ZERO3 is used as a terminal, making it easy to synchronize with Outlook emails from outside.The evaluation of employees is very high because you can see e -mails and schedules and browsing the attached files without carrying a notebook PC.In the future, Windows Mobile devices other than W-Zero3 are also considering using it.

The built "what should be" supports the future system

　The new email system by Exchange Server 2007 has realized the appearance of Kawasumi Chemical Industry's information infrastructure.There is no doubt that it is a major progress compared to the situation where the three email systems were mixed.

　However, the introduction of a new system caused a temporary decrease in usability.

"Until then, the user could choose the email client freely, but after the introduction of the new system, we unified to Outlook. For this reason, some users were dissatisfied with the usability.On the other hand, it was necessary to devise educational and support, such as making the operation manual and making it possible to browse it in videos. "(Mr. Midorikawa).

　The user's dissatisfaction does not mean that the Outlook function is insufficient, but most of the complaints that there are too many functions to use up.Certainly, if you look only as an email client, there are many Outlook functions.However, when considering the future of the system, Midorikawa says that the high functionality of Outlook will be indispensable.

"In the future, we are considering groupware, document management, and search systems, but as we add these new features, we believe that the meaning of Exchange + Outlook will emerge" (Mr. Midorikawa).

　In the future, when all employees use new systems, it is expected that various requests will be made, but the new system has enough potential to meet these demands.Mr. Ishida summarizes the potential of the new system as follows.

"The system so far was the best part of the partial part. I think that this was the first company's optimal system for the first time.The system can be done "(Mr. Ishida)

　For example, adding a journal server for J-SOX and adding a function to archive email data is possible immediately if necessary.

　The email system is a foundation for corporate information systems.In the case of Kawasumi Chemical Kogyo, this base was divided into three, but this time it can be said that this was replaced by an EXCHANGE SERVER 2007 stubborn monolith base.

　Many companies are currently operating an information system that has been built on the spot as needed on a subtle balance.There are also many system administrators who feel the need for system renewal but cannot find a clear solution.For these companies and system administrators, the case of Kawasumi Chemical Industry may be very helpful.

◆ DELL × Microsoft ◆ Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 proposal of messaging environment

　第１回 ： Exchange Server 2007への移行 落とし穴を避けてパワーを解き放て！　第２回 ： Exchange Server 2007 SP1 多くの企業がアップグレードする本当の理由　第３回 ： Exchange Server 2007＋SMSによるパフォーマンス向上とスパム対策でメール環境を劇的に改善　第４回 ： 分散したメールシステムをExchange Server 2007による堅牢なシステムに統合　最終回 ： メールの先にある新しいコミュニケーション環境 〜ユニファイドコミュニケーションの世界〜

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