Outlook Web Access 2003 Features
Enhancements to the Exchange 2003 architecture dramatically affect the way Microsoft Office Outlook® Web Access functions and help to secure corporate messaging information.
Better User Interface
Outlook Web Access running on Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.01 and later, displays a new user interface (UI) called the Premium Client, which is close in features and functionality to the UI of Microsoft Office Outlook 2003. The Outlook Web Access UI now includes these added abilities and features:
- Two-line view
- Context menus view
- Meeting requests can be forwarded
- Desktop Alert and Notification Area icon for new mail
- Add to Contacts feature
- Ability to set number of items to view per page
- Bidirectional layout support for Arabic and Hebrew (Microsoft Internet Explorer 6 required for bidirectional layout)
- Richer support for icons in Mail view
- Control when messages are marked as read in Preview Pane
- Public folders now display in their own window
- Access to Global Address Lists properties sheets within an e-mail message or meeting request
- Message sensitivity settings on Information Bar
- Meeting invitees can set their preferred reminder time for meetings
- Calendar can be opened in its own window from a Meeting Request offering the ability to evaluate the calendar and meeting request at the same time
- Forms-based authentication
- Support for common rules
- Server-side spelling checker for six languages
- Quick Flags
- Personal Tasks
- Message signatures
- Saved searches
The Outlook Web Access UI features also include improved keyboard shortcuts and reorganized toolbars to better match those in Outlook 2003.
Enhanced Security and Privacy
Security enhancements in Outlook Web Access in Exchange 2003 include:
- S/MIME support (Internet Explorer 6 and Microsoft Windows® 2000 or later is required)
- " Spam beacon" blocking to help protect your e-mail address privacy from spammers
- A hidden destination site to help protect your privacy when viewing a URL from a message in Outlook Web Access
- Attachment blocking so you can selectively disable attachments being viewed from outside the firewall. You can also prevent sensitive documents from being downloaded outside your network.
- A session inactivity timeout using forms-based authentication that enables support for a timed log off after a period of inactivity. Outlook Web Access enables you to log off securely even if the browser is left open with a current session to the server.
Performance Improvements
Outlook Web Access performance is improved with:
- Deferred search for new messages after deletion
- A choice between Basic and Premium versions of Outlook Web Access clients when connecting with Internet Explorer 5.01 or later
- A choice between the Basic client version from the forms-based authentication logon page when connecting with Netscape and Internet Explorer 5.01 and earlier or you can choose the Premium client version
- Substantial performance improvements, after you've enabled GZip compression, when you connect through dial-up, low-bandwidth wireless networks or when you use Secure Sockets Layer (SSL)
