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Last Modified: 2012-05-07

Why need to change from "attendee" to "resource" when booking meeting rooms with MS Exchange?

This has frustrated me and my colleagues for years:
We book meeting rooms according to MS instructions, as special mailboxes with auto-acceptance etc.
But why must we - every time - remember to change from meeting attendant to resource to make the booking work?

Why couldn't this happen automatically, based on a tag on these mailboxes telling they are resources?
Does anyone need to invite a "resource" as ordinary participant? (If there is need for approval before booking, that can be done by removing the auto-accept).

Has MS done a bad job, - or have I missed something. Could it be done within MS Outlook/ MS Exchange or can someone advice me on alternatives (without throwing out our mail system)?

arnelien

Asked: 2009-05-18

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1 Solution

arnelienAuthor Commented: 2009-05-18

Shortly after I posted my question, I got a workaround from another source. Although it doesn't solve the underlying weakness, it mitigates the problems it may cause.

Locate the resource mail account in (Exchange aware) AD Users and Computers.
At the Exchange General tab, choose "Delivery Restrictions" and "Accept message - Only from: ...
Add a dummy mail account.

Then I can book as a resource, but if sent as "Attendee", I receive a "Delivery Status Notification (Failure)" for that mailbox.

(The procedure is slightly modified from this link:
http://www.slipstick.com/calendar/skedresource.asp)

Any better?

LVL 1

Deringer-NeyCommented: 2009-05-18

No you are not crazy, I have research this myself for many hours. Microsoft is deficent in Active Directory for the marking an User as a resource. Then Outlook could re-coded to account for this. I am very suprized that this has never been changed too.
I just keep reminding people to mark the meeting room as a resouce, I also monitory the calendar to check erros when I can.
Jim

LVL 1

Deringer-NeyCommented: 2009-06-01

They only asked for a reason "why" Which I answered why.
IF there was a "microsoft" or other decenet solution I would have provided a solution.
The solution he uses is a band aid at best and did not "solve" his problem.
A solution to a problem maybe that it is impossible to do.
Jim

arnelienAuthor Commented: 2009-06-01

Thank you for responding to my question. It did in fact help me in not hoping for a better solution, although it did not bring me further.
It seem I have to go for the semi-solution, which is better than nothing.

(PS: I have been on holidays. That's the reason for late response)

_Arne

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Why need to change from "attendee" to "resource" when booking meeting rooms with MS Exchange?

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