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NET-TEL's Universal Information Client (UIC) is an entirely new messaging client designed for the modern 32-bit Windows™ architecture and to meet the demands of the Information Age.
The UIC provides an independent solution for messaging and collaborative working tailored to the Windows desktop.
- Familiar Look and Feel
- Uncluttered and easy to use
- Operates with any messaging service
- Harnesses the power of X.400 messaging
- Unlocks the unique benefits of automatic operations
- Fast-match address look-up
- Hierarchic message folders
- On the fly grouping of messages into hierarchic sets
- Maintains integrity of forwarded messages
- Choice of plug-in security options
- Drag and Drop message creation and management
- Convey embedded objects and hyperlinks
- Rich text and multiple character sets
Too many messaging clients are crammed with a bewildering array of features and appear to make a virtue out of complexity. The UIC strikes the right balance, enabling even the most powerful messaging technologies to be used in an intuitive manner.
Focusing on Information not Technology
At NET-TEL we recognise that users are not interested in messaging technology - their focus is on the information that it carries and on working with that information. So with the UIC you can deploy the advantage of X.400 right to the desktop without overwhelming even the most casual user.
Fit for mission-critical working
The UIC works perfectly with the most robust messaging technology, without ever compromising the needs of that technology. There is no room for a weak link within a mission-critical messaging system.
Exploiting the NET-TEL advantage
The UIC is able to exploit unique features afforded by NET-TEL's powerful messaging servers.
Expanding choice
Behind the unified interface presented by the UIC you are now able to blend third- party messaging services together with NET-TEL's multi-platform server products to create singular solutions.
Preserving investment
Existing investment in MAPI-based messaging applications and services can be preserved whilst transitioning to NET-TEL products. During transition, other messaging applications and services can coexist alongside the UIC and NET-TEL messaging service within a common MAPI framework.
Background
Electronic information flow
In today's networked age, obtaining, exchanging and managing information is the key to achieving personal productivity. Messaging, or e-mail, is now the primary conduit for the many types of information that can flow electronically, leaving the user to retain, manage and act upon that information.
With Microsoft Windows (95, 98 and NT) established as the primary desktop computing environment, users have the right to expect that the tools they use fit perfectly into this environment without the need to learn new skills. In order to master their electronic information flow each user needs a clean, uncluttered interface that let's them focus on their work and not on the technology. Beyond the user interface, a robust technology is needed to provide intelligent handling of that vital information flow.
Open messaging
There are many types of messaging systems, but open messaging systems conform either to the international X.400 standards or to the Internet SMTP/MIME standards. However, not all messaging systems are equal and X.400 continues to be the yardstick by which messaging technology is measured. Whilst there are many client applications available to support the limited needs of Internet mail there are few clients that can also proficiently handle the power of X.400 without overwhelming the user.
Messaging at the desktop
The Messaging Application Programming Interface, MAPI, has become the industry standard for integrating messaging at the desktop, offering a standard that enables messaging solutions to be constructed from a wide choice of applications and services.
MAPI provides a Universal Inbox offering the desktop user a single focus for viewing, manipulating and originating all electronic correspondence, whether it be fax, e-mail, scheduling information, etc.
The MAPI architecture provides two layered interfaces. The upper interface is an API that is available to any mail-enabled application such as scheduling/calendar packages, workflow applications and e-mail clients. The lower interface is used by MAPI to access distinct messaging services. Each different messaging service may offer three types of Service Provider:
- Transport Provider - supporting the transmission and reception of messages.
- Store Provider - offering hierarchical storage of messages and other information.
- Address Provider - offering address book facilities.
Overview
The Universal Information Client, UIC is a completely new Messaging Client for the 32-bit Windows architecture, designed afresh to meet today's needs for managing and exchanging all types of information.
As a truly Universal client the UIC can be used against a wide variety of messaging services, but it offers particularly rich support for the X.400 environment with skilful management of this powerful technology. The ability to mix and match messaging solutions allows the UIC to successfully blend messaging technologies behind a single user interface, avoiding the necessity to choose only a single messaging technology for the desktop.
The UIC is uniquely able to exploit the benefits offered by the Advanced Message Store component of NET-TEL's Universal Information Server (UIS). The UIC is tuned for optimal performance when used in conjunction with the UIS.
Above all, the clean, uncluttered interface offered by the UIC allows the user to focus on utilising information rather than having to be concerned with how that information is exchanged.
An open architecture
The UIC provides a true Universal Inbox, providing access to any of the range of correspondence such as fax, e-mail, scheduling information, etc, for which MAPI Service Providers are available.
- The UIC supports access to the NET-TEL Universal Information Server, and other X.400 Message Stores, through the NET-TEL MAPI Desktop Enabler (described in a separate data sheet)
The UIC exploits the full benefits afforded by the 32-bit Windows environment.
- The UIC allows "objects" (e.g. documents) to be embedded within messages and also acts as a handler for objects that may be embedded in other applications i.e. it is an OLE compliant product.
- Each message and message view represents a single document on the Windows desktop, following the Windows Explorer view of the world in providing a Single Document Interface.
- Designed and built to meet the Windows 95 & NT Logo Requirements. Also built to conform to the Office 97 logo, providing consistency with Microsoft Office 97.
Look and Feel
Any user familiar with the modern Windows™ environment and Office™ applications will find themselves completely at home with the UIC.
- All toolbars and menu options have the familiar look and feel of Office 97.
- A full context-sensitive help system is provided.
- Commonly used operations can be swiftly selected from shortcut menus, made available from a simple right mouse click.
- Support for the IntelliPoint mouse software is included to allow rapid interface navigation.
- Natural document naming is made possible by the full support for long file names and reference to networked documents without the need for drive-mappings.
Creating messages
Form for composition
A message is created by completing information within an intuitive Compose form.
- The Compose form uses a set of "tabs" to separate the commonly used fields from the advanced options, allowing for quick and easy access to important information.
- The Compose form may be invoked directly from the UIC or via messaging-aware applications such as a Word Processor, where the File, Send option may be utilised to send a document directly from the application.
Addressing other people
Each message may be addressed to many recipients, where the recipients are grouped into "types" as directed by the originator.
- A full set of recipient types is supported i.e. Primary (To), Carbon Copy (Cc), Blind Carbon Copy (Bcc), Reply to (RSVP) and Authorising User (Authorised).
- The set of recipient types displayed by default may be tailored by the user.
- Addresses may be typed and edited directly within an address field.
- Only part of address need be typed as the unique fast-match address book lookup automatically completes an address (available when using a NET-TEL Address Book).
- Addresses may be introduced by simply dragging and dropping them from other messages.
- Clear visual indication is given of addresses that are not resolved against current address books.
- An address browser operates with any address book.
- Searching of address books is provided (where supported by the Address Provider),
- Any address type is supported, i.e. not just limited to X.400, SMTP etc.
- Distribution list addresses may used, which will be expanded at the time of posting.
- A Reply may be requested either for all recipients or for selected individual recipients.
Recipient addresses may be stored and retrieved from one or more address books, where address books may either be local or shared.
- Personal address book allows you to locally store addresses from messages or other address books .
- New addresses may be created and modified.
- Distribution Lists may be stored within the address book.
The Compose form provides a comprehensive message editing facility.
- Supports Rich Text, e.g. bold, italics, underline, font size, bullets, alignment etc.
- Multiple character sets may be used together within the message editing window.
- Spell checking facilities are provided, compatible with the Office 97 custom dictionary format.
- Spelling may optional be checked before sending a message.
- Multiple levels of editing steps may be undone or reapplied.
An array of techniques is available by which to reference or include other information within a message.
- Internet URLs may be specified in both the message editor window and the subject field. These are indicated visually as hyperlinks, for example http: mailto: ftp: file: news:.
- Embedded (OLE) objects can be placed within messages allowing visual information to be transferred between clients. Such objects may be activated in-place in order to be handled by an associated application.
- Rich text message signatures may be created and applied either to all new messages or to selected messages.
- Multiple attachments may be dragged and dropped into the message editing window.
Messages can be held "in preparation" as draft messages.
- Draft messages may be saved within the Message Store for editing and posting at a later date.
- Multiple draft messages may be in preparation at any time.
- Draft messages may also be saved to disk as either plain text, rich text or in a message format file.
- Message format files may be restored from disk for editing and posting.
Each message can have any of a comprehensive set of handling options selected as "properties".
- Commonly used attributes are grouped together for convenience, i.e. Importance, Sensitivity, Delivery Report Level, Receipt Report Level, Priority, Do Not Deliver Before, Expires after.
- Specific X.400 attributes may also be set i.e. Reply By, Do not deliver after, Disclose recipients, Allow alternative recipients, Prohibit conversion, Prohibit reassignment, Prohibit loss, Prohibit DL expansion.
Messages are sent via the user's Outbox folder to be transmitted automatically via the appropriate Messaging Service.
- A copy of the sent messages may be saved in a folder nominated by the user.
- Manual control of message submission and retrieval is also possible (where supported by the installed Transport Providers).
Keeping informed
The user is alerted to the arrival of new mail.
- Alerts may be displayed as non-intrusive dialogs on the screen or as alerts in the notification area of the Taskbar.
Opening an item of mail allows the user to review the contents in the manner most appropriate to the information contained inside.
- Rich text and hyperlinks are displayed, the latter allowing other applications to be launched.
- The message header may be displayed in a full or abbreviated format.
- The handling options (properties) of a message may be examined.
- Messages may be printed with customisable headers, footers, print information and margins.
- Before printing, a message may be previewed.
- Individual attachments may be saved to disk, or all attachments may be saved in a single step.
- Applicable editors/ viewers may be launched to view attachments. Attachments may be printed directly from within the UIC (assuming the applicable editor supports such options).
The user may choose to reply to a received message or forward the message to others.
- Messages may be replied to, with or without the original contents. When replying with contents, the original contents can be marked (e.g. by a "> " prefix to each line), the marker used may be customised by the user. Reply with contents preserves rich text.
- When replying, the reply can be made to the originator of the message, to all recipients in the message or just to the Distribution List if delivered by this means.
- The integrity of a forwarded message is assured by preventing the modification of a received message.
- A group of messages may be selected for forwarding either as separate messages or as multiple attachments within a single message.
- A stored or previously sent message may be re-sent with or without alteration.
The UIC can utilise security plug-ins to provide the option to encrypt and digitally sign messages that are sent and to decrypt and validate the digital signature of received messages.
- PGP and S/MIME security plug-ins have been qualified for use with the UIC.
- Secured messages are visually identifiable within a folder by the use of distinct icons.
Messages of all types are organised into Folders, where folders may be organised in a nested or hierarchic manner. A set of folders represents the contents of a Message Store. A user typically has a single Message Store, but may use several.
Folder View
Hierarchic foldering is handled by a view with a Windows Explorer look and feel, where a graphical folder list utilises visual icons to represent special folders.
- Folders may be added, removed and renamed within the hierarchy.
- For each folder a visual count of unread messages is given.
- Summary information about a particular folder may be displayed using a property page.
- Messages may be copied or moved between folders using drag and drop.
- Multiple folders may be open and displayed at the same time i.e. to display the contents of different folders.
- Multiple views of a folder may be displayed at the same time e.g. using different filters on each view.
- The "last used" folder view is restored when the UIC is restarted.
- The folder view may be hidden.
- The UIC may be used with any MAPI based store provider which supplies features for hierarchic foldering and storage of messages.
- Multiple Message Stores may be accessed and displayed giving access to different stores of information.
The message view displays a summary of messages within each folder. The view may be split into columns displaying information about various properties of that message.
- Different sets of columns may be defined and associated with each folder.
- By clicking on columns, the message view may be sorted on a particular property e.g. Subject.
- For some columns, icons are used to highlight certain properties.
- Messages may be marked as read or unread without having to open the message.
- Colour may be used to highlight messages with particular properties (e.g. Important).
- Messages in a folder may be grouped into a user defined hierarchy, organised by individual properties (when used with Store Providers supporting this option).
- The forms management interface allows the appropriate form to be invoked when reading a message. Messages representing different forms are displayed using icons in the message view.
Filters can be applied to message views in order to restrict the set of messages that are visible.
- A simple dialog displays a subset of common filter attributes for novice users.
- The advanced dialog allows complex filters to be defined and applied.
- Filters may be saved and reapplied.
The Service Assistant Wizard operates with a NET-TEL Universal Information Server to provide rules to assist in the management of mail, rules that are applied by the server even when the user is disconnected.
- Features include auto-reply, auto-forward, auto-folder and auto-deletion of mail.
- Auto-deletion may be used to remove junk mail before it clutters your mailbox.
- Auto-reply might be used to inform others that you are on holiday.
- Auto-forward may be used to pass particular messages on for action by other users.
- Auto-folder can be used to organise incoming mail into different folders.
- A wizard interface makes the setting up and management of these rules easy.
- All rules may have filters associated with them in order to select which messages will trigger a particular action.
Installation
The UIC is simple to install.
- A full installation package is provided to install the UIC and other optional components.
- An uninstaller is also provided, which is integrated into the standard Windows Uninstall desktop dialog, allowing removal of the product.
The UIC is a natural evolution from earlier NET-TEL client products.
- A migration tool is supplied to import NET-TEL Route400 message folders and Cabinets into either the NET-TEL Universal Information Server or any appropriate MAPI Store, e.g. Personal Folders.
- Bulk migration can be performed for users of a NET-TEL Universal Information Server.
- A utility is provided to re-install forms on the workstation, including any additional custom forms defined by the user.
The UIC integrates with MAPI messaging services and with the Windows™ desktop.
- The UIC integrates with Microsoft Internet Explorer allowing you to specify your default mail package.
- The UIC is believed to work with any Extended MAPI-based store provider.
The Universal Information Client includes the following group-working enhancements:
- Calendar and group scheduling - supporting the organisation of personal events and group meetings.
- Manager/Secretary operation - allowing a secretary to assist a manager with the e-mail workload in a manner that mirrors the traditional paper-mail workflow.
Extension
The UIC can be exploited by other applications and the functionality of the UIC itself can be easily enhanced by third-party components.
- Application developers may directly invoke the Compose and Read forms of the UIC using the Extended MAPI APIs.
- Full support for the Microsoft Exchange Extensions allow many standard Exchange plug-ins to be added to the UIC, to further enrich the functionality. Additionally, application developers may use these extensions to develop new add-ons for the UIC.
- A plug-in manager is provided within the UIC to enable and disable plug-ins.
- MAPI Profiles and Service Providers may be configured directly from within the UIC.
- A comprehensive set of options exist that allow for customisation of properties and the general operation of the UIC.
- Toolbars may be customised, new toolbars may be created and existing toolbars may have buttons added and/ or removed, even the appearance of buttons may be configured.
The UIC is supported on 32-bit Windows operating systems.
- Microsoft Windows 95 or Windows NT 4.0 (Service Pack 3 or later).
- Microsoft Windows 98 and Windows NT 5.0 will also be fully supported.
- A PC/486, Pentium PC or compatible computer with a minimum of 16 MB of RAM and a hard disc drive.
