Microsoft just released the beta of a new “tool”: the Exchange Client Network Bandwidth Calculator.

You can use the calculator to predict the client network bandwidth requirements for a specific set of users. At this time, the calculator takes into account the following clients:

• Outlook 2010
• Outlook 2007
• Outlook 2003
• OWA 2010
• OWA 2007
• Windows Mobile
• Windows Phone

Note: other clients will be added in the future.

There is a lot more information about the tool available in the original announcement, which you can find here: http://blogs.technet.com/b/exchange/archive/2012/02/10/announcing-the-exchange-client-network-bandwidth-calculator-beta.aspx

Since the tool is currently in beta, feedback is always welcome:

The new prediction algorithms have been created from scratch and validated for accuracy internally; however we would like to gather some more telemetry data from real world scenarios to fine tune the calculator prediction formulae. During the Beta process we would love to hear your feedback and suggestions for the calculator. If you can provide real world prediction vs. observations data for your infrastructure that would also be extremely welcome!

Suggestions and feedback requests should be sent to netcalc@microsoft.com

The goal is to complete the Beta process by mid-2012.