Working from several different locations and different devices brings out the strengths and weaknesses of the various tools we use on a daily basis.  Today I will touch on Microsoft Exchange, specifically Outlook Web Access (OWA) and how it compares to Android based smartphones.

In order to get the most from Microsoft Outlook Web Access, Internet Explorer needs to be used.  Substituting other browsers such as Firefox disables certain functions.  The benefit of using OWA is it eliminates the need to install Microsoft Outlook on the computer.

OWA looks very similar to Microsoft Outlook, but there is no Today page and some of the advanced viewing options such as seeing tasks on the calendar page are also not available.  If you are not a fan of Microsoft’s new ribbon in Office 2010, then you will like Outlook Web Access.  However if you do like the ribbon you are out of luck as it is not in OWA.

Advanced users of Microsoft Outlook will be disappointing that some of the drag and drop options will not work in Outlook Web Access.  Viewing calendars of others is available if you have the appropriate permissions.

For the Android there are several options available to corporate users of Microsoft Exchange.  Many phones such as the Motorola Droid X, Droid Pro and Droid 3 along with several from Samsung and HTC have built-in connectivity to Exchange.  Depending on the phone and version of software, the calendar and email retention vary.  While contacts synchronize with the Exchange contacts, notes and tasks do not.

There are several companies which offer an add-on for Android based smartphones; one program  is TouchDown and another program is RoadSync.  Both sync; calendar, contacts, email and tasks between an Exchange server and the Android smartphone. Each has its own limits and advantages.

TouchDown allows the creation of tasks from within an email which is a very useful tool used by those seeking the most efficiency.  TouchDown also has uses categories from Outlook (Exchange) and the method to file emails is superior to RoadSync.  A downfall of TouchDown is it is very easy for the system to not save notes in the calendar, tasks and contacts; which could be an issue for many.  RoadSync works well, but lacks the categories and ability to create tasks from an email.

For power users, an Android based smartphone or tablet can be superior to Outlook Web Access, the one limiting factor is the lack of seeing calendars from others within the organization.

This article was written by The Boss of HITman Services, a computer and IT company, based in Clifton Park and serving the Albany, Troy, Schenectady and Saratoga Counties of New York.

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