Allow Mail Merge from Task with Contacts

[Schultzie]

I am trying to get the most out of Outlook as a Contact Management tool.
Since I cannot create a template plan and assign that plan to one or many
contacts. The Plan would include letters at different times (that are
triggered by the completion of a previous event...much like Microsoft Project
- which is too expensive for a small business).

So for prospects I build recurring tasks of which I add the contacts that it
pertains to. So each week or month the task reappears that I need to Send a
Letter to those contacts. It would be real nice if I could, from that task
be able to create a Mail Merge to those contacts that are within the list.
Otherwise I have to get the list from the task...go to the contacts and find
them to do the mail merge. What a pain!

The method of using categories or such is not efficient. I have over 1000
contacts and using contact folders or categorieds for a group of 5 or six
based on a week of the year would get overwhelming too.

----------------
This post is a suggestion for Microsoft, and Microsoft responds to the
suggestions with the most votes. To vote for this suggestion, click the "I
Agree" button in the message pane. If you do not see the button, follow this
link to open the suggestion in the Microsoft Web-based Newsreader and then
click "I Agree" in the message pane.

http://www.microsoft.com/office/com...eb841ee6&dg=microsoft.public.outlook.contacts

 

[Judy Gleeson MVP - Outlook]

Outlook is a PIM (Personal Information Manager). You are after CRM
(Customer Relationship Management) functionality. There are many CRM
software add-ons to Outlook. Have a search and check them out.

Judy Gleeson - MVP Outlook
Acorn Training and Consulting
Canberra, Australia


see what Outlook training can do to improve productivity:
www.acorntraining.com.au/pdfdocs/ProductivITwithOutlook.pps

www.acorntraining.com.au/productivit.htm

I am trying to get the most out of Outlook as a Contact Management tool.
Since I cannot create a template plan and assign that plan to one or many
contacts. The Plan would include letters at different times (that are
triggered by the completion of a previous event...much like Microsoft Project
- which is too expensive for a small business).

So for prospects I build recurring tasks of which I add the contacts that it
pertains to. So each week or month the task reappears that I need to Send a
Letter to those contacts. It would be real nice if I could, from that task
be able to create a Mail Merge to those contacts that are within the list.
Otherwise I have to get the list from the task...go to the contacts and find
them to do the mail merge. What a pain!

The method of using categories or such is not efficient. I have over 1000
contacts and using contact folders or categorieds for a group of 5 or six
based on a week of the year would get overwhelming too.

----------------
This post is a suggestion for Microsoft, and Microsoft responds to the
suggestions with the most votes. To vote for this suggestion, click the "I
Agree" button in the message pane. If you do not see the button, follow this
link to open the suggestion in the Microsoft Web-based Newsreader and then
click "I Agree" in the message pane.

http://www.microsoft.com/office/community/en-us/default.mspx?mid=97e84248-c4
3a-45a5-9bf2-a338eb841ee6&dg=microsoft.public.outlook.contacts

 

[Schultzie]

Well aware of what CRM is...I spent 15 years in the industry. It is just a
shame that a function that I asked for...seemingly so simple to code and
valuable to so many people would be withheld. So I spend 400US dollars on
Office Professional and to MANUALLY maintain contact with my customers, I
have to spend more money. Do you work for one of the 'Add-on" software
companies?

 

[Judy Gleeson MVP - Outlook]

No. I don't work for a CRM company. I own a training company.

My signature block clearly shows my company name, web site, city and
country.


Judy Gleeson - MVP Outlook
Acorn Training and Consulting
Canberra, Australia


see what Outlook training can do to improve productivity:
www.acorntraining.com.au/pdfdocs/ProductivITwithOutlook.pps

www.acorntraining.com.au/productivit.htm