Client Options

The Microsoft Outlook family of clients provides users with a choice of clients to use with Exchange Server. These clients support multiple platforms and provide varying levels of functionality, depending on the needs of the user. In addition, all the clients in the family support a consistent user interface, so moving from one client to another is easy. The following sections describe these clients.

Pocket Outlook

Microsoft Pocket Outlook runs on any handheld device that supports the Microsoft Windows CE version 2 operating system. Pocket Outlook enables communication and enhances collaborative work by supporting e-mail, contacts, tasks, and scheduling. These services can be synchronized with Outlook 98 by using the built-in ActiveSync technology in Microsoft Windows CE.

Outlook Express

Microsoft Outlook Express is a POP3, IMAP4, and NNTP client that ships for free with Microsoft Internet Explorer version 4. Outlook Express provides basic e-mail and newsgroup functionality that can be customized to meet the needs of the user. When used in conjunction with Exchange Server, Outlook Express has simple calendaring functionality.

Outlook Web Access

Outlook Web Access is a browser-based view of information stored in Exchange Server and is covered in Chapter 8. Outlook Web Access supports e-mail, calendars, public folders, custom views, and directory functions, all from a standard web browser. The technology behind it comprises ASP and CDO.

Outlook for Microsoft Windows Versions 3.x and the Macintosh

For companies supporting employees who use 16-bit Windows and the Macintosh, Microsoft Outlook offers consistent versions for both platforms. Both provide the same user interface as the other members of the Outlook family and include e-mail, personal calendaring, task lists, group scheduling, HTML-based custom forms, and an easy migration path from current Microsoft e-mail clients.

Microsoft Outlook

Outlook is Microsoft's premier e-mail and collaboration client. With Outlook, users can manage many types of information including their e-mail, personal calendar, contacts, and tasks. Group scheduling, task management, and journal capabilities improve user productivity through better information management. Tight integration with Office and Internet Explorer provide major benefits to users of these applications because Microsoft Outlook extends them with enhanced functionality.