Scheduling Assistant: A Game-Changer in Meeting Organization

In Microsoft Outlook, organizing meetings with multiple attendees can be a daunting task. However, with the introduction of the Scheduling Assistant feature in Exchange 2007, scheduling meetings has become easier and more efficient. In this article, we'll delve into how the Suggested Times feature works and its benefits.

How Suggested Times Works

When creating a meeting request, Outlook reads the attendees' free/busy data and populates the Suggested Times pane with the best available times on the selected date. The pane lists the time period and the number of attendees who are available during that time, sorted by the time periods with the most attendees available. This feature makes it easy to find a suitable time for meetings.

Using Suggested Times

To use Suggested Times, simply add attendees to the meeting request and review their Free/Busy data on the Scheduling tab. Then, click the Autopick Next button to move forward to the next suitable time period. The Suggested Times pane allows you to review availability over several dates at once, making it easy to find a convenient time for everyone.

Improvements with Exchange 2007

Outlook 2007, when used against Exchange 2007, improves AutoPick with the Suggest Times pane. This feature finds the next available free period for the attendees, making it easier to schedule meetings. Although there are still some limitations, such as difficulties in scheduling around everyone's free time, Suggested Times is a significant improvement over previous versions.

Why Scheduling Assistant Matters

Microsoft Outlook uses Free/Busy data so colleagues can see when you're available for appointments. The Scheduling Assistant feature helps streamline the meeting organization process by providing a convenient and efficient way to schedule meetings with multiple attendees. By leveraging this feature, you can save time and reduce the hassle associated with scheduling meetings.

In conclusion, the Scheduling Assistant feature in Outlook, particularly the Suggested Times pane, has revolutionized the way we organize meetings. With its ability to find suitable times for attendees and streamline the scheduling process, it's an essential tool for anyone who uses Microsoft Outlook regularly. By understanding how this feature works, you can make the most of your meeting organization experience.

Scheduling assistant