Microsoft did a major investment in OWA to improve old functionality and add new features so it stands beside Outlook client and gives rich and similar "Look and Feel" without any kind of installation in web browser. This makes Exchange Server 2010 even more charming.

 

In Exchange 2010, the name of OWA has changed from "Outlook Web Access" to "Outlook Web Apps" but along with name, it is drastically improved and now loaded with new weapons to fight against XYZ (you know what). By introducing AJAX technology Microsoft delivers new access method of all in one inbox for emails, voice mails, instant messages and SMS text messages and all of these are available through a web browser over the internet. In this article we will discuss fresh ingredients added in OWA 2010 for end-users.

End-user Interface Enhancements:

• Multi-Browser Support: Now OWA premium is supported on non-Microsoft web browser like Firefox 3+ and Safari 3+ also. End-user feels pretty much same experience no matter which browser they use.

 

• Conversation View: This new view gathers all mails of a conversation from various folders of a mailbox and represents as a thread as similar to a newsgroup or forum thread. This provides end-user to locate full thread of a mail chain at unique place and that can be managed as a single source.

• Single Page of Messages: Previous version of OWA shows only chunk of messages  in a single page but using AJAX technology OWA in Exchange 2010 shows all messages in a single page. All of the emails can be viewed by just scrolling down.

• Nickname Cache: Nickname cache is the list of recent recipients you used and pops up with suggestions when you type new address.  Nickname cache is now global and remain same while using Outlook, OWA or Outlook Mobile.

 

• MailTips: MailTips gives advance notification to the user for the recipients he or she addressed the mail, such as auto-reply or out of office, external recipient, large distribution list, attachment over sized or even custom MailTips configured by administrator for special purpose. This prevents user from facing damaging or embarrassing situations.

• Send-As or Send on behalf of: Yes, now you can change the from address to send as an another user or on behalf of different user in OWA.

• Integrated Instant Messaging: OWA is now integrated with IM functionality provided by Microsoft Office Communications Server. OWA shows the presence information of user added into IM Contact List and allows us to chat with co-workers through any web browsers across the internet.

• Integrated SMS Capabilities: Now you can send SMS text messages from OWA.

• Forward as Attachment: You can forward any emails as an attachment that was not possible in previous version of OWA.

• Ignore Conversation: Now users can ignore the conversations that they are not interested in or not related. Message will be automatically deleted whenever new message arrives in the same thread. This helps end-users to stop being overloaded. Anytime if message turns into important information, ignore conversation can be canceled from Delete Items.

• Favorites Folder: You can keep certain folders in favorites that are used frequently and it remains in synchronization in Outlook and Outlook Mobile.

• Searching Messages: Search facility is more powerful and provides you advance options. You can also save and access favorite searches.

• Filters: You can apply various advance filter to view message in inbox or a folder.

• Recover Deleted Items: Recover deleted items are available at single click when you right click on "Delete Items".

• Archive Mailbox: You can view archive mailbox in OWA. Archive mailbox is an additional mailbox available to user to store their archived data instead of using PST files so this will be available virtually at any place in OWA or Outlook 2010.

• Opening Another User’s Inbox: If you have full mailbox permission then now you can open another user's mailbox in OWA.

• Open a Shared Calendar/contacts: You can open up to five calendars simultaneously in OWA.

Administrative Capabilities:

• Account Information: End-user now can change their private information shown in GAL without helpdesk call or administrative effort.

• Groups Subscription: Users can join any available group by their wish. User can also create a new groups if they have been assigned with group creation permission by Administrator.

• Delivery Reports: Users can now track the message by right clicking on the message available in Sent Items or by going in Options.

 

 

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