Importing SMTP or Custom Recipients into Exchange
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Using Outlook Web Access
Contents
About this Guide and More Resources
CGNET is happy to provide this concise guide, which is based on its 20 years' experience providing managed email and managed network services. You may also be interested in our fairly extensive list of more resources for Installing and Administering Exchange 5.5 on Windows NT 4. CGNET provides many services, including consulting, network installation, managed email, network monitoring and management, Web hosting and global roaming Internet access. We have particular experience working with non-profits and NGOs, and our network currently serves users in 94 countries. Check out our home page for more information about how we can help you.
Introduction
Outlook Web Access gives users secure access to their e-mail, calendar, group scheduling, and public folder information on Microsoft Exchange Server using only a web browser. A web browser that supports HTML 3.2, Java controls, and JavaScript must be installed on the client machine.
Outlook Web Access requires no desktop installation, which streamlines administration and provides easier client control. Outlook Web Access can be a strategic choice for organizations with any of the following requirements or constraints:
Roaming or remote access. Users who are away from their computers, as well as users who share a PC, can take advantage of Outlook Web Access to access Microsoft Exchange Server information securely from any Web browser. Because Outlook Web Access does not download mail to the client, there is no risk of users accidentally copying messages to another user's hard disk.
UNIX clients or computers with hardware limitations. For users running UNIX workstations or whose computers have limited RAM or hard-disk space, Outlook Web Access provides basic e-mail, calendar, and collaborative features.
Cross-platform system. Organizations with users who require access to Microsoft Exchange Server from any operating system can benefit from the minimized support requirements, consistent user interface, and cross-platform features of Outlook Web Access.
Extranet applications. Organizations that need to deploy applications broadly to vendors, suppliers, or customers can use Outlook Web Access to distribute the applications inexpensively and efficiently over the Internet. Outlook Web Access supports authenticated and anonymous external users.
Features
When connected to Microsoft Exchange Server, users can access Outlook Web Access and take advantage of the following features:
- Basic e-mail. Outlook Web Access users can address mail using the Microsoft Exchange Global Address Book, send and receive file attachments and hyperlinks, set messaging priorities, and request delivery and read receipts. Also, they can use hierarchical folders and the Outlook bar, and group and sort messages in a folder based on standard fields or a conversation thread.
- Basic calendar and group scheduling. Users can create one-time or recurring appointments in a personal calendar, and access daily and weekly views of the calendar. Also, they can view free/busy times for multiple users and resources when scheduling a meeting, and automatically send and respond to meeting requests by using e-mail.
- Basic public folder access. Users can access custom table views in public folders, and group and sort messages in a folder based on standard fields or a conversation thread. Users can access public folders anonymously, allowing customers and employees to post various types of requests for information, such as sales or product data, via the Internet.
- Collaborative applications. In addition to basic public folder support, users can develop custom forms by using Microsoft Visual InterDev™ and display them in Outlook Web Access.
Limitations
Outlook Web Access is not intended to satisfy advanced e-mail and collaboration requirements addressed by the other products in the Outlook client family. It does not include the following advanced features:
- Personal address books
- Spell-checking
- Sending and receiving rich text or HTML mail messages
- Auto-resolving of addressees
- Microsoft Exchange digital encryption and signature support
- S/MIME support
- Replied and forwarded flags in list view
- Message flags and inbox rules
- Three-pane view
- Dragging and dropping to a folder
- Searching for messages
- WordMail and Microsoft Office integration
- Monthly view and other customized views of a calendar
- Displaying discontinuous days side by side
- Appointment list views
- Viewing free/busy details
- Dragging and dropping to move an appointment
- Tracking acceptance of meeting attendees
- All-day or multiple-day events
- Task views and task management
- Exporting to DataLink watch or other devices
- Non-tabular Outlook views
- Outlook forms
- Customizing the Outlook Bar
- Synchronizing local offline folders with server folders
Also, the Outlook Web Access user interface varies slightly from other Outlook client family products, because it requires special optimizations to work within a Web browser. Users must connect to Microsoft Exchange Server to view information.