sending & receiving sms messages using outlook 2010 or outlook web app, and windows mobile

A while ago I got a question from someone regarding one of the new features in Exchange 2010, being text messaging. Question was “is it available”…

Looking at the TechNet article he referred to, it does state:

Source = http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd298136.aspx

The following is a list of new text messaging features included in Exchange 2010:

  • Missed call and voice mail notifications
  • Calendar and agenda updates
  • Text messages sent and received through Outlook Web App and Outlook 2010
  • Text message synchronization with a mobile phone

So let’s see.

Requirements

You need to have a Windows Mobile device:

And once you have chosen to sync your text messages, you will see all messages sent and received appear in your inbox, like below:

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You will also receive an email, notifying you that you are able to send SMS/text messages using OWA/Outlook from now on:

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What can you do?

  • Send an reply to text messages just as you would e-mail messages

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  • When entering more than 160 characters, an additional SMS text message will be created
  • Messages can be sent to a phone number or to a contact which phone number is filled in
  • Messages on the mobile device are synced and backed up on the server
  • Messages on the device only show up in the text messaging area (not in Outlook Mobile)

How does it work?

When a text (sms) message is created using Outlook/OWA, it will be sent to Exchange.  Exchange will use EAS to send/sync the message to the users cell phone. The user’s cell phone will then send that message out over SMS.

When a user receives a text message, the sent message will be synced to the user’s mailbox using EAS.

 

Some Q & A

Q. What if I have more than one SMS Sync enabled phones connected to an account?

A. The most recently connected one will  be the one used to send the message

 

Q. Can I disable this feature as an administrator?

A. Yes, you can, using the Exchange Management Shell for example

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Happy SMS/Text Messaging :-)

 

Ilse