Forum Discussion
New Outlook Issues
Your question is quite valid, and many users share similar sentiments about the changes in the new Outlook. The decision to overhaul a long-standing email client like Outlook can be attributed to several factors. Companies often aim to modernize their applications, align them with evolving technologies, and provide a consistent user experience across various platforms.
In Microsoft's case, the move towards a web-based approach may have been driven by the desire for a unified codebase that can be more efficiently maintained and updated. This can lead to quicker deployment of new features and updates. However, as we've seen, it may come at the expense of certain features and preferences that power users value.
It's essential to balance innovation with user needs, and sometimes, adjustments are made based on a broader vision for the software. Microsoft may be working towards a more integrated and universally accessible experience across devices and operating systems.
While these changes may not resonate with all users, providing feedback through official channels remains crucial. It helps software developers understand user preferences, address concerns, and refine their products over time.
In summary, the end goal may be a more streamlined, cross-platform, and continuously evolving email client. However, user feedback plays a pivotal role in shaping the direction of these developments.
The highlights are not intended as an excuse or embellishment on my part. I'm also a simple user like many others here. But there are points that we also emphasize in our work with our employees and colleagues.
Thank you for your patience and understanding
It's clear Microsoft is plowing ahead. this is clearly about making a product that is more cost effective and cross platform in the long run, and phasing out stand-alone software like Adobe. At least Adobe's model was better and while more expensive they can at least work and always have new features.
This was driven by bean counters and web developers that know little about how power users use your product to be MORE productive, .not the desire to make a BETTER product. It is universally hated. As an IT support leader, I am on the front lines, holding classes, showing people why the new version of office is better, and it's just the layout they need to adapt to, for a better more feature filled product.,that in the end they will love (like when "ribbons were introduced . This "product" has a new layout and LESS features, Major fail. Youre competing with yourself and losing. Got greedy and released way too soon. There is no payoff in switching to this in its current form. Managers will just create a group policy to substitute the new Outlook link for the local software just to keep the complaints down, I did.
The problem is, You tied my hands behind my back. I have my CFO asking i we should switch to Google. How do I answer that? Withe new Outlook, I can't show them how to use features they've lost.
brianbir570A I certainly empathize with your struggle there. But I would also point out that Google, while being a provider of email, also don’t provide an email client. They provide only webmail. These aren’t the same thing.
One of the major problems with New Outlook, aside from missing features is that it is also not an email client. It essentially behaves like webmail. All email traffic flows through the Outlook server at Microsoft.
This isn’t much of a difference if Microsoft is your current email provider. But if your email service provider is Google or Yahoo, then your data will go through the Outlook server, where Microsoft will undoubtedly use the ‘anonymized’ data to train its copilot AI.
The other downside of Google as a service provider for productivity suite, is that its offerings are far weaker and less universal than Office. There are no desktop versions of their software.
My recommendation would be that when Microsoft forces New Outlook on the enterprise customer, look into a professional email client software to replace Outlook. I am looking at alternatives at this time.
From what I can gather from your text, the changes in the new version of Outlook, particularly the transition to a web-based approach, have caused concern and dissatisfaction among users, particularly power users. Your frustration with the removal of certain features, the perceived loss of productivity, and the challenge of convincing users, including executives like your CFO, continue to reflect the difficulties associated with significant software transitions. In situations like these, we will have to do the most convincing work in our job than any other work step, no matter how difficult.
If I may recommend, when responding to the CFO's request to move to Google, be transparent about the challenges your company faces with the new Outlook and the challenges to moving to Google may arise. Clearly communicate user feedback, the impact on productivity, and the steps you are taking to address these issues. That's what I usually try to do when faced with situations like this.
In the end, I try to present the problem as clearly as possible and the possible alternatives and their effects on our company. My CFO has to decide on this, that is his job that I don't want to take on.
I know that there is no solution approach to the existing problem...I just express my sympathy for this task that you have in your company...I had to go through it too, with all the understanding and lack of understanding I received.
Ps. Maybe you could investigate if there are any temporary workarounds or solutions that can help close the gap until Microsoft resolves the identified issues. Such as, considering third-party add-ins. This may include using specific add-ins or customizations to the current workflow. Just a thought, although I'm sure you may have already considered this idea.
I also wish you a lot of strength and patience in accomplishing your task.
