Outlook Business Contact Manager Goes Solo
A little while ago, in the computer store of a friend, I met a customer who had installed a version of Office 2007 that didn’t include Outlook. Of course, there are reasons for this decision and a few of those reasons are that Outlook Express ‘kinda’ upgraded to Windows Mail and includes most of the features that were used by end-users. Also: Vista includes a Contact Manager that can import .pst files and .vcf files (contacts), so in theory, you should be all set. You could always download the Windows Live Mail client and manage your emails and contacts like this. The difference between Windows Mail and Windows Live Mail is in fact that in Windows Mail you don’t have newsgroup support, which Outlook Express did have, and that Windows Live Mail offers multiple pop3 accounts to bundle your emails in one location.
In the light of this event, it came to my attention today that Outlook 2007 with Business Contact Manager, a contact management application targeted at small businesses, now will be offered as a stand-alone product. For many people this might be a good deal, especially for those who used to work in a corporate environment but at a certain point in time left the company to start on their own and now find themselves with a bunch of backups and no place to import them to (like a particular situation I encountered with a customer of the computer store).
Previously, Outlook 2007 with Business Contact Management was available only as part of Office Small Business 2007, Office Professional 2007 and Office Ultimate 2007. The client software is aimed at small business users. However, users that want to upgrade their current Outlook client, including those purchased with some Office 2007 versions, will have to pay $150 to get the new standalone version. […] The software lets users centralize customer data, including contact information, e-mail, phone calls, appointments, notes and documents. [via]
At home I use the Office Ultimate 2007 pack, so I already have this chunk of software up and running. I get the most out of it when I sync my mobile phone and backup my contacts. It’s a quick and easy way to never face total information loss should something unexpected happen. Which reminds me, it’s been a week since I backed up my laptop and home desktop PC. When did you backup yours for the last time? :)
February 9th, 2008 at 4:03 pm
This is going to sound really bad, I have NEVER since I built my sexy beast for Vista, NEVER ever backed up.
Wreckless? Maybe, it seems to me when I first started on 98, ME, and backed up TOO MUCH, if something went wrong, it went wrong to the extent, backup could not save me. It was heartbreaking, I had little neat folders (I was probably 14 and spent TOO much time on organisation)
From which, if something is that important I just copy it onto my OQO E2, I’m a true believer in fresh installs. Stuff the pleasure - pain game. Just let me get back to feeling the oomph!
In regards to the Office Ultimate, I am not surprised, when I first got Vista, (5 day’s before the UK release date) I didn’t have office, I found Windows Live Mail grew on me as it was sufficient for my needs, after receiving Office Ultimate 07 with business contact manager it’s on my list to explore.
Yet this is 08 and still have no need for it just yet, Windows Live Messenger and Live Mail just does what I need, when I need it to. As for Sync with my phone…Ah would it be the lazy mans option to mainly attach the sync lead when the XDA Exec needs charging?
And you thought you were bad? ;)