About Sun Java System Connector for Microsoft Outlook, Version 7 2005Q4

Sun Java System Connector for Microsoft Outlook enables Outlook to be used as a desktop client with Sun Java Enterprise System.

Connector for Microsoft Outlook is an Outlook plug-in that must be installed on the end-user’s desktop. Connector for Microsoft Outlook queries the Sun Java System Messaging Server for folder hierarchies and email messages. It converts the information into Messaging API (MAPI) properties that Outlook can display. Similarly, it uses WCAP to query the Sun Java System Calendar Server for events and tasks which are then converted into MAPI properties. With this model, Sun Java System Connector for Microsoft Outlook builds an end-user Outlook view from two separate information sources: mail from Messaging Server and calendar information from Calendar Server.

When users create and modify items through Outlook, Connector for Microsoft Outlook passes the new message along to the appropriate server depending on its message type. It sends new outgoing email to an SMTP mail server for delivery, and sends modified email messages back to the user’s IMAP folder for storage. New calendar events and tasks are converted into a standard format to be stored in the Calendar Server database.

Sun Java System Connector for Microsoft Outlook 7 2005Q4 includes support for address book service. This service makes use of WABP and allows a user to have their personal address book accessible from both Outlook and Sun Java System Communications Express.

Please note, the package that is Sun Java System Connector for Microsoft Outlook does not include any migration tools. You need those tools if you have users that are currently on Microsoft Exchange and would like to use Outlook with Sun Java Enterprise System. Sun provides a migration service to help move data and users from an existing Exchange deployment to Sun Java Enterprise System.

Key Features in Sun Java System Connector for Microsoft Outlook

The following key features and functionality are available with this release:

• Access to Sun Java System Messaging Server, and Sun Java System Calendar Server.

• Access to email folders on the Messaging Server via IMAP4.

• Access to calendar data (events, appointments) and tasks stored in the Calendar Server via WCAP.

• Access to corporate directory via LDAP.

• Access to contacts stored in the Address Book server.

• Typical Outlook mail features:

  • Compose, reply, and forward messages

  • Use Microsoft Word to write and edit messages

  • Apply spell check and encryption to message body

  • Apply address completion to message headers

  • Add signatures to messages

• Share mail folders with one or more users.

• Subscribe to other users’ mail folders.

• Typical calendar features:

  • Create new appointments and events (all-day, recurring, public, private)

  • Modify events

  • Check availability

  • Suggest alternate time for events

  • Track responses to event requests

• Email based group scheduling.

• Share calendar with other users and set specific permissions for shared calendars.

• Subscribe to other users’ calendars.

• Delegate calendar access to others.

• Typical task-related functionality (new task, modify task).

• Client-side rules attached to folders and data types

• Notes and Journal stored in IMAP folders.

• Full offline support for mail, calendar, and address book.

• Interoperability with web client (Communications Express).

• Global Address List manages server-side message filters.