Exchange 2003 Server - Eliminating VPN Requirement

how are you trying to get them to connect?  MAPI, IMAP, POP3, HTTP, etc???

We use SMTP currently.  I need to keep the mailbox storage at the server level.  We do have the OWA setup and it works fine.  I have some remote users that need the ability to connect to exchange using their outlook but while they are not on the VPN.

SMTP is how servers send email to eachother (sometimes used by clients to send mail to their mail server), but it's not a method for users/clients checking mail on a mail server. in your outlook client setup are they connected to "microsoft exchange server"?  if so that means they are using a MAPI connection (which is MS's proprietary default).

Yes, connected to a microsoft exchange server with the mailboxs being stored on the server.

ok,, it sounds as though your cllients connect to your exchange server via MAPI.  There are many different types of methods your clients can use to connect to it to get their mail (MAPI, IMAP, POP3, HTTP, etc).  I'm 99% sure you can't connect via MAPI over the internet without a VPN (and you wouldn't want to for security reasons).  you can however set it up so your users could use some of the other standards to check their mail over the internet without using a VPN. HTTP (outlook web) is perhaps the easiest.  all your users will need is a web browser to access their mail.  if they have outlook 2003 (or xp i think) they can actually use the oultook client to connect via http and it will look very much like a mapi connection. You could also have them set up to connect via POP3.  You just need to decide which methods offers the most functionality to your users without being too hard for them to set up.  FYI, most users like the "full" functionality of a MAPI connection.  why dont you want them to use a VPN to get their mail, its a very secure method and they have full functionality like they are used to