sharing an outlook pst file?
One of the biggest issues I have with the current version of Microsoft office is the lack of ability to share data easily between users. I know that Microsoft offers this functionality through an exchange server. But that costs money, requires a powerful server machine and would also require skilled maintenance. In most of the organisations that I have work with this is simply not possible giving the cost consideration.
In addition, there are many ‘virtual’ organisations that could do with ability to share contacts, Cal anders etc. Technology advances in recent times have allowed these type of ‘virtual’ organisations that are more networks and clubs to organise themselves virtually with blogs, skype, and msn. But, it is just too hard to share Cal anders and contacts.
I wonder if Microsoft has forgotten that most users in the home pc or even working for small businesses don’t have the functionality of the large business that can afford a full time IT person to manage their exchange servers.
Is the functionality to share our outlook pst files in the next version of office?
I don’t know but I started to have a look at what was available and I have found this piece of software which has a demo version.
I am going to give it a try. For goodness sake, all I want to do is to share my outlook calendar with my administrative assistant. How hard can this be?
I had a look at the open source projects but I cant seem to find any that will offer this functionality either. But I must admit I would be reluctant to move away from outlook because of the ability to synch with my treo.
Has anyone overcome this? How do you share your contacts and calenders in Outlook or for that matter share your pst file?
I would welcome any insights and I will pop up a review of my experience with public sharefolders soon.
The list of functionality looks like what I need:
- Common and central contacts, tasks, dates, or a central inbox. Reading and writing rights with several Users in the same time into an Outlook® data file (PST).
- A store provider with simultaneous access in the network. Supported also several central Outlook® data files (PST), for example: archives files.
- Public ShareFolder® use a central installed Outlook® as “Public Folders” and permits thus common information.
- Groupware Solution for small medium enterprises (SME). Public ShareFolder® is not a synchronisation tool, it is a Store Provider like an Exchange® Server.
- Complete Outlook® functionality in the “Public Folders”. Forms, VBA Script. Nearly all Outlook® functions were available also in the Public Folders.
- No need for Windows NT® or Windows 2000, Windows 2003 Server™! Running also on Terminalserver as Windows® Service!