Limitations of Microsoft Entourage v.X with the Exchange Update
Microsoft Entourage v.X with the Exchange Update from Summer 2003 has several limitations when compared to Microsoft Outlook on the Windows platform.
Entourage v.X with the Exchange Update does not support the MAPI protocol; instead, it uses the Internet-standard IMAP protocol to check mail. (See Exchange MAPI and IMAP access from a Macintosh.) It also uses the LDAP and WebDAV protocols to accomplish other tasks. It is helpful to think of the current version of Entourage v.X as an IMAP mail client that has a few specific Exchange-related enhancements. These enhancements are geared towards the typical work that is needed by individuals within an organization.
For more details on what Entourage's Exchange Update can and cannot do, please refer to Microsoft's article on the Known issues in Microsoft Exchange Update for Entourage v.X. It explains which kinds of data are synchronized with an Exchange server.
Basically, Entourage v.X (versions 10.1.4 through 10.1.5) can do the following:
- Work with Exchange e-mail, with similar features to any IMAP mail client
- View mail messages in Public Folders
- Synchronize your Exchange address book's to your local Entourage address book
- Synchronize your Exchange calendar to your local Entourage calendar
- Look up people in the Exchange Global Address List (GAL) using the "Check Names" feature in Entourage (pending RIT server support)
- Invite others to meetings, checking their free/busy status
- HotSync Exchange calendar and address book data to a Palm OS handheld computer (requires latest Entourage Handheld Sync component)
- Work with synchronized Exchange data off-line.
Any data which is not synchronized to your Exchange mailbox account can still be stored locally. This includes tasks and notes, which you can manage in Entourage. Even though this data is not saved in your Exchange account, it can still be synchronized to a Palm OS handheld, if you choose.
Entourage does not support the ability to synchronize any kind of e-mail to a Palm handheld.
Entourage v.X cannot currently:
- Synchronize Exchange tasks
- Synchronize Exchange journal notes
- View the calendars of other people, or view calendars in other folders other than the main "Calendar" folder in your Exchange mailbox account
- Set up or use delegate access to your Exchange folders, or set privileges for other people to view items like your calendar
- Share files, contacts, calendars, tasks, etc. with others, either through folders in your Exchange mailbox account, or through Public Folders
- Fill out Exchange forms
- Use other Exchange- or Outlook-specific features.