The Connector for Microsoft Outlook Demo

Clients are generally classified as either thick clients (also known as a fat client or rich client) or thin clients (also known as web clients). A thick client performs the bulk of any data processing operations itself and relies on the server it is associated with primarily for data storage. A thin client relies on a web server for data processing operations. So far, you have seen how to use the Communications Express thin client for evaluating Sun Java Communications Suite. Now you will learn how to use a thick client such as Evolution or Microsoft Outlook. Thick clients provide certain features that the Communications Express web client does not, such as drag and drop capability and disconnected support. The Sun Java Communications Suite supports the use of Microsoft Outlook on the front end for email, calendar, and address book.

To Experience Connector for Outlook

1. Install and configure Sun Java System Connector for Microsoft Outlook on your desktop system.

   For this demo, use the ports and organization DN specified in Using the Single Host Deployment Example. You then create a profile for Duncan Hoff.

   See the Connector for Outlook documentation for instructions on how to install and configure Connector for Outlook: http://docs.sun.com/app/docs/coll/1630.1

2. Execute Duncan's profile then start Microsoft Outlook.

   You do this only one time. Upon starting Microsoft Outlook, you see the Outlook Today view, which provides a summary of your appointments, tasks, and messages.

3. Click the Calendar icon in the Outlook Shortcuts pane.

   Your daily or weekly schedule is displayed.

4. Drag and drop one of the meetings to a new time, for example, drag the Emergency Meeting you created earlier.

   You might have to advance to the following day to see this meeting. If this event has invitees, approve attendees being notified of the event change.

5. Maximize the Communications Express window and refresh the Calendar view.

   The event time has changed for the event you dragged.

6. Click the Inbox in the Outlook Shortcuts pane.

   You should see your Inbox.

7. Click on a message in your Inbox to view it.

   For example, click the Urgent message from Robert Smith.

   The mail displays.

8. In Microsoft Outlook, click the New icon to compose a new message.

   A new window allows you to compose a message.

9. Click the To: or CC: buttons to address your email.

   You can show names from your Contacts, but you can also select the Global Address List.

10. Select Global Address List from the menu.

    Connector for Microsoft Outlook requires access control changes to the directory server to support the Global Address List. See Tuning LDAP to Improve Searches in Communications Services Clients for more information. If the directory server has been configured to support the Global Address List, you are able to view all the users in the Directory. You do not actually send email to anyone is this list.

11. Click Cancel to close the Select Names window.

12. Close the Compose window and reject any requests to save changes.

13. Click Contacts in the Outlook Shortcuts pane.

    You should see your address book contacts.

14. In Microsoft Outlook, create a new contact.

    1. Type a full name and an email address.

    2. Save the contact.

15. Click the Address Book tab in Communications Express to see the new contact.

16. Experiment with other Connector for Outlook features.

17. Continue with the next demo.