At the Demo 2001 Conference, Microsoft today introduced the beta
launch of the Microsoft Outlook Mobile Manager. This desktop
application, in conjunction with the Microsoft Mobile Information
2001 Server, allows users of Microsoft Exchange to filter and
prioritize e-mail from Outlook.
The Mobile Manager can function as a standalone desktop
application and forward notifications from an Exchange server to
any e-mail address and display them on Net devices. When used in
conjunction with the Mobile Information 2001 Server, users can
enable advanced message formatting options, secure message
forwarding, and access to information on corporate intranets.
The core technology, developed by Microsoft Research (MSR), uses
numerous adaptive processes such as context sensing, automated
learning and reasoning, natural language processing, and
customizable priority profiles, to enable Microsoft Manager to adapt
to user context requirements and filter which information should
reach the user immediately.
The system automatically constructs
personalized message filters based on user-input about their
Outlook communications and determines notification urgency and
can send alerts to text-enabled mobile phones and other Net
devices. The program dynamically tailors the messaging output of
the system to various user contexts, such as home, work, out-of-office, and
do-not-disturb.
MSR also introduced an associated product called Intellishrink, a text-compression system
that uses natural language processing technology to compress messages by up to 30
percent of their original size. This is accomplished by removing unnecessary items such as
spaces, punctuation and vowels when doing so does not compromise message clarity.
System requirements for Mobile Manger include Win 98 SE, Win ME, Win NT Workstation
4.0 Service Pack 3, or Win 2000 Professional. Also required is Outlook 97 or later as the
primary personal information manager (PIM), connected to Microsoft Exchange Server 5.5
or Microsoft Exchange 2000 Server. Mobile Manager will integrate with Microsoft’s
upcoming release of Office XP. Mobile Manager is available today as a free download from
http://www.microsoft.com/outlook/mobile.
