Microsoft Introduces One Outlook

Microsoft has started beta testing a new Outlook experience, known as One Outlook. This new program brings together the desktop and web-based platforms into a single app that is accessible on all devices.

The new Outlook offers a refreshed UX that feels native to Windows. It also provides IT teams a consistent platform to support.

Productivity

Email is a crucial component of many business workflows. However, it can be challenging to manage multiple accounts and stay on top of incoming emails. Outlook offers a variety of features that can help boost productivity, including automatic replies and the ability to organize emails into folders.

Additionally, Outlook can help you prioritize and schedule tasks in a clear way. For example, you can color-code your tasks by priority, allowing you to see which ones need your attention first. In addition, you can set reminders for important events and meetings, making it easy to keep up with your schedule.

Microsoft recently released One Outlook, a unified email and calendar experience that merges the traditional Microsoft Outlook client with the newer experiences for Windows, Mac, and Web. As the product continues to evolve, it’s an ideal time to evaluate how it will impact your organization and make a plan to transition to the new platform. Contact us today to learn more about the benefits of One Outlook for your business.

Integrations

One Outlook aims to consolidate the different Outlook experiences across Windows, Mac, mobile, web, and subscription into a single app. This move makes a lot of sense for Microsoft’s development team, which will be able to focus on enhancing the application rather than supporting multiple versions with slightly different capabilities and user experiences.

The new Outlook will also include a feature that lets you connect your digital tools and apps instantly, eliminating manual data entry and reducing time spent on repetitive tasks. This is great news for businesses that need to keep track of customer data and automate their processes.

For example, a subscription-based service used Outlook to integrate with various payment gateways, simplifying the billing process and increasing cash flow. Similarly, an organization uses Outlook to send newsletters and updates to donors and members, streamlining communications and improving donor engagement. This is just a sample of the many ways you can use Outlook to automate your workflows and improve productivity.

Security

Emails can contain sensitive information, and unauthorized access to these emails can compromise the privacy of both individuals and businesses. Fortunately, Microsoft has built some security features into Outlook to help users and organizations safeguard their data and protect against cyberattacks.

One such feature, Level 2, aims to limit the types of file attachments that can be directly run in the program by blocking access to files that use the Office object model, such as.exe files, screen savers, or synchronization tools for personal digital assistants (PDAs). In addition, Outlook also warns users that running these programs could allow malware executables to spread by using the same interfaces that are used for legitimate purposes.

Another security feature, Message Encryption, encrypts both the content of a new message and its attached files. A small icon appears next to the Options menu in the new message window that indicates a message is encrypted. To revoke encryption on an existing message, click the Options menu again and then click Remove Encryption.

Privacy

One Outlook has some features that will make it feel more native to desktop clients. For instance, you can configure the ribbon layout and customize its appearance. It also comes with features like message reminders and support for Loop components.

Microsoft plans to roll out the new experience in waves. The first phase will be an opt-in for users of Office 365 on installed systems. The second phase will include all Office 365 subscribers. Microsoft hasn’t announced a date for when this will happen.

IT teams should consider how the new Outlook will work with their existing email security policies. For example, if you use sensitivity labels to protect confidential email and documents, how will these be handled? It will be possible for delegates with full mailbox access to read protected messages in OWA and Outlook mobile. However, you won’t be able to use these delegate accounts to read a protected message in Outlook desktop.