We're all familiar with Microsoft's overarching message -- it's a mobile-first-cloud-first world and we're all computing in it. We're all familiar with Microsoft's three top priorities: to usher in an era of more personal computing; to reshape work and productivity via new products and processes; to build and provision an intelligent cloud. But what does that mean on a practical, "you're using this software" level?
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First, it means don't panic if you're still in an on-premises sort of world. Although Microsoft didn't use their Exchange 2016 roadmap and architecture sessions to reiterate a commitment to on-premises Exchange, that doesn't mean it'll be neglected. As Tony Redmond says:
Microsoft has obviously used an enormous amount of engineering resources to harvest developments that are tried and tested in Exchange Online and package then technology in a suitable form for on-premises deployment. I can’t see how this work would have been done if a strong commitment existed to upgrade on-premises customers, even if the commitment was not voiced or emphasized during the session.
and he reports that Microsoft is making a big investment in REST-based APIs across Office, so Exchange 2016 will use new mail, contact, and calendar REST APIs. All Exchange 2016 servers will be multi-role (the CAS is no more) and the preferred architecture is deemed to be the right way to deploy Exchange.
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Tony Redmond also reported on the significant role of Groups in Office 365, noting:
When you reflect on the growing collection of components brought together under the Groups banner, it’s clear that Microsoft view these objects as a kind of unifying influence for many different parts of Office 365. In short, becoming a member of a group is a one-stop ticket to information available in a:
-- SharePoint (or OneDrive for Business) document library
-- OneNote notebook
-- Exchange shared mailbox and calendar
-- Skype for Business meetings
-- Dynamic CRM
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Rod Trent found out that System Center Configuration Manager 2016 will actually release two different times in the coming year -- once right now as a technical preview and once again when Windows Server 2016 is released next year. Microsoft has indicated that each instance counts as an actual, individual release.
