Link new/outgoing email messages to Opportunities

[MandoThrasher]

I wish I could compose a new email message and at the same time link it to an
existing opportunity. I have to go to my Sent folder every time I send an
email related to an opportunity and link it to the opportunity.

When you open an incoming email, the button is there for linking to
opportunities. Can't figure out why that same button doesn't appear while
composing a new outgoing email message.

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http://www.microsoft.com/office/com...-584604141e81&dg=microsoft.public.outlook.bcm

 

[Mukesh Agarwal [MSFT]]

Here is a little bit of technical explaination. In order for BCM to link any
Outlook item to Opportunity (or any other item), BCM needs to know an unique
identifier. This identifier doesn't get created until the item is saved to
any Outlook folder such as Sent Items. The incoming items are already saved
in your inbox folder.

 

[michael buckingham]

Why can't I just go to "New History Item" and select mail message like I can if I'm in a contact...that would write the message, send it and link it.

It seems so basic...I have an opportunity and that New History Item should have everything I could do with that Opportunity (email being a biggie).

 

[Sohodojo Jim]

Michael and Mando,

ABSOLUTELY. What an oversight. I can't believe that the "Communicate. New
History Item..." choices don't include an email message. This is SO
fundamental to client/customer relationships.

Mukesh, this reasoning that the item isn't created yet seems strange. In
many situations in database programming (especially on the no-long-lived
transactions in web programming) you have to routinely create and save a
"base/starter" record and then update it with additional information as the
record evolves. If the user doesn't go through with the email, the "closing
item" task (where you get prompted with the 'Do you want to save this?'
interaction) would then include deleting the link as well as tossing the
unfinished item. How can this be any different that creating any of the other
data records that CAN be linked?

--Sohodojo Jim--