Now, on Exchange 2000, a single server with essentially no storage acts as the front end to multiple messaging databases on our storage area network. We initially back up the smaller databases to disk, and then we periodically back up to tape throughout the day. So if anything happens to one of the smaller databases, it would only impact approximately 250 users and the restore time would be on the order of 30 to 45 minutes. Think about how powerful that is. Fewer people are affected.
Recovery time is reduced and recovery options are increased.
We are building out a Web Storage System infrastructure that our other IT groups and departments can use to build applications upon. We have spent a lot of time evangelizing it with the business-unit IT groups, and there's a queue of six to 10 applications that are going to be moved into the Web Storage System technology because of its unique features, such as the workgroup and replication capabilities. One group is building an Action Item Manager that will be available companywide, based on the Web Storage System. This tool automates the creation of various routine forms and documents, and it integrates perfectly with Outlook tasks, instant messaging and all the other tools that are now available. So when you do a trip report, for example, you can submit this Action Item Manager to a place in the Web Storage System, which will assign tasks and fire off events.