Dell on Thursday announced a new professional services program that helps companies upgrade to Microsoft Exchange Server 2003.

The new pre-configured server, storage, and software packages and professional migration services are designed for businesses running Exchange Server 5.5 who want to migrate to Exchange Server 2003. Microsoft will end support for Exchange Server 5.5 at the end of the year.

"Dell is leveraging the combined power of three -- Dell, EMC, and Microsoft -- fully integrated server, storage, and software solutions to provide customers a single, reliable source of standards-based Exchange-migration options," said Linda York, vice president of global alliances marketing in Dell's Product Group.

Dell says a large organization with more than 4,000 mailboxes can choose a bundle of two PowerEdge 2850 servers, a Dell/EMC CX300 with PowerVault 136T storage solution, and Exchange Server 2003 Enterprise Edition. A small business with 150 users and high-availability requirements might choose a PowerEdge 2800 server with the entry-level AX100 Dell/EMC storage array, and Microsoft Windows Exchange Server 2003 Standard Edition, said Dell officials.

All pre-configured migration packages include software training and three-year support. Pricing for configurations begin at US$5,000. Dell also offers additional services for Microsoft Exchange including Exchange Migration Readiness Assessment, Active Directory Design and Deployment, and Training for Exchange Server 5.5 to Exchange Server 2003 or Active Directory.

"By offering these packages at a fixed-cost and fixed-scope, our customers can more easily estimate the costs of transitioning to Exchange Server," said York.

York said there is a large market for these newly announced Exchange services. "More than 25 percent of Exchange Server 5.5 users have not upgraded. We believe those companies are ready to move," she said.

Dell's services business has been growing over the past year, with revenue up 30 percent year-over-year in the first quarter.