Please help with the following Outlook scenario

[igarber]

I'm planning to implement an appointment booking system for a small
medical office. Here's the plan:

The system will consist of 4-6 client PCs running WinXP and Outlook
2003. 2-4 PC will be used by the receptionists to book the appointments
for the 2 doctors working in this office. The system also includes
Windows Small Business Server, which in turn includes Exchange.

Both doctors will have thier own calendars, which will be shared. The
receptionists will open the shared calendars and book appointments for
the requested doctor. The doctors can then review the appointments on
their own workstations.

The actual appointments will be made by using custom forms that I will
create based on the standard appointment form. (Q1: Can Exchange server
store information gathered custom forms, or can I only use standard
"Appointment" form?)

Future implementation will also include doctors using Outlook Web to
view their schedules, as well as PDAs compatible with Outlook.

Does anyone see any problems with this approach? Someone recommended
that I use SharePoint Services instead of Outlook, but this approach
seems like overkill to me.

Any input appreciated!

 

[Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]]

In

I'm planning to implement an appointment booking system for a small
medical office. Here's the plan:

The system will consist of 4-6 client PCs running WinXP and Outlook
2003. 2-4 PC will be used by the receptionists to book the
appointments for the 2 doctors working in this office. The system
also includes Windows Small Business Server, which in turn includes
Exchange.

Both doctors will have thier own calendars, which will be shared. The
receptionists will open the shared calendars and book appointments for
the requested doctor. The doctors can then review the appointments on
their own workstations.

Sounds good so far. Except, you won't be able to view everything on one
centralized calendar....you could create a public calendar folder, but that
might introduce too many problems. Those with access to all the calendars
will be able to view them side-by-side in Outlook, though.

The actual appointments will be made by using custom forms that I will
create based on the standard appointment form. (Q1: Can Exchange
server store information gathered custom forms, or can I only use
standard "Appointment" form?)

You can use whatever forms you like, and publish. Just make sure this
doesn't cause problems with your PDA sync...

Future implementation will also include doctors using Outlook Web to
view their schedules, as well as PDAs compatible with Outlook.

Also note that your custom form will not work in OWA. SBS2003 comes with
Remote Web Workplace, which allows for "poor man's terminal server" in that
an Internet user can connect via a secured web page to their desktop in the
office - via remote desktop.

Does anyone see any problems with this approach? Someone recommended
that I use SharePoint Services instead of Outlook, but this approach
seems like overkill to me.

Sharepoint in SBS2003 will include a built-in company calendar, but it won't
integrate with Exchange, and you can't use meeting invitations, etc., for
it.

Any input appreciated!

You may find you get more 'wholistic' help in
microsoft.public.windows.server.sbs....

 

[igarber]

Thank You!

you won't be able to view everything on one
centralized calendar....

What I meant is that the two doctors will have separate calendars and
the receptionist can view them side by side, so I think this isn't a
problem. PDA sync probably will be.

I will talk to the client, I suspect a standard Outlook Appointment for
may just be enough.

Also note that your custom form will not work in OWA. SBS2003 comes with
Remote Web Workplace, which allows for "poor man's terminal server" in that
an Internet user can connect via a secured web page to their desktop in the
office - via remote desktop.

Good point. RWW would be too complicated for them...

Anyway, thanks! I'll check out the other newsgroup as well.

Igor.

 

[Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]]

In

Thank You!


What I meant is that the two doctors will have separate calendars and
the receptionist can view them side by side, so I think this isn't a
problem. PDA sync probably will be.

No, it shouldn't be. What kind of PDA will they be using, and how?

I will talk to the client, I suspect a standard Outlook Appointment
for may just be enough.

Sure - might be. Is for most.

Good point. RWW would be too complicated for them...

You think so? It's really easy - I've shown complete luddites how to use it.
I just make sure to point out that "This Start button is *not* your
computer's Start button"....the only thing that cean get hairy is remote
printer redirection, but even that isn't too hard, usually.

Anyway, thanks! I'll check out the other newsgroup as well.

Glad to help. I'm sure you'll get more advice from the SBS gurus. They're a
friendly bunch.