An extensive package of Outlook plug-ins Dynamic templates and more

Potolook is a handy template manager and message filter plug-in for MS Outlookspecially created for "heavy" e-mail users who need more options and flexibilitythan Outlook offers on its own. In addition to simple and rather common features,like adding custom greeting or signatures, the program offers essential options forrunning successful e-mail campaigns - automatic replies in the language the messagewas sent, database support (OLE automation interface), complete processing ofincoming and outgoing correspondence and much more.Potolook is also a great tool for companies that provide customer services bye-mail. The plug-in can automatically sort incoming messages based on "trigger"words in the message or subject line (other filtering rules are available as well). Importantly, users can assign custom templates for any folder (like RepeatCustomers, Refunds, Orders, Questions, etc.) to make the process of communicationwith customers a prompt and pleasant one.Potolook can create both text and HTML templates. Importantly, Potolook is opensource software, so any person familiar with JavaScript can modify it or createadditional modules for own use. The plug-in also can be used to create templateswith active content, which is great for running e-mail surveys and contests.Templates.As is known, the standard Outlook does not have the full-fledged message templates.For a template, one can use a previously saved message in the forms or the so-calledStationary. Such static approach makes it difficult to automate new messagecomposition. Using macros in templates or stationary would make the work much moreproductive. That is exactly what's offered by Potolook.Potolook templates are stored in individual files and contain all what's necessaryfor composing new messages in the plain-text or HTML format. Not only its owntemplate, but a number of templates can be assigned to each folder. In such case,the template to be used for a particular message can be selected during compositionof the message. Moreover, the folder properties can be inherited from an upper-levelfolder or from any other folder whatsoever. This prevents one from having to rewritetemplates numerous times; instead, one can create a desired template for aparticular action once and then assign it to numerous folders.The template provides an individual section for each action (New Message, Reply,Reply to All, etc.) Besides, there are common sections for all events and a commoninitialization section for not only all events but for all templates also. Using theparameters, the program can prompt user for any data during application of thetemplate. For example, it can ask user about the format of the message beingcomposed (plain-text/HTML) and, having parsed the parameter, create the message ofthe required format. The "Quotation" parameter is handy for composing replies; itallows composing reply messages in the default Outlook or the FIDO style alike.Outlook is not only an e-mail program; it is also a powerful organizer that supportstasks, calendar, notes, and other objects. Potolook templates can be applied tothose objects as well - just create a template for new contact, note or task thesame way you have done it for the e-mail message.Literally infinite features Potolook templates gain from using JScript scriptinglanguage. JScript allows addressing to both the Outlook object model and any objectsthat support automation - all Microsoft Office applications, any databases, WHS, andmultitudes of others. Potolook has its own object model and a number of built-inscripting functions that utilize Outlook's wide features. To make it easier for userto operate such power, the program uses the so-called HTML forms: selecting a valuefrom a set, entering custom text, and many others. You can create any forms and openthem from within templates manually. Thus, you can create custom user interface forautomating your e-mail operations.The majority of Potolook templates' features are demonstrated in the powerfultemplates, which are installed along with the plug-in.Highlighting.The new version of the plug-in introduces the unique feature of messagehighlighting. Quite often it is rather difficult to determine, whose phrase iswhere; that drops the message readability greatly. The highlighting allows thephrases of different level to be marked with different colors. Moreover, it allowscreating custom highlighting themes - highlighting any portions of messages andsetting custom decoration styles for them. The text can be marked with more thanjust the color; you can as well customize its format (bold, italic, emboss, font,size, etc.), and hide it completely should that be necessary.The plug-in default distribution set includes several highlighting themes.Attachment Preview.As is known, to view attachments in Outlook, the attachments are first to be savedto an external folder and then viewed with an external viewer. Potolook allowsviewing the attachments in the e-mail program directly. Besides the image files, itsupports previewing any text formats - just enter the required file type extensionsin the settings. The same way the program can be configured to automatically previewthe office files (Word, Excel) and files of any other formats if the proper softwarethat can open the files using OLE Automation is available on the computer.For viewing images, the program uses Windows XP's built-in viewer, thus it supportsa wide range of image formats.

Potolook's functionality can be easily extended with the additional modules whichnumber has been growing continuously:Attachment Compression (including automatic compression). This module allows you tocompress all attachments in a message, folder or sorting rule with a single mouseclick. The program allows you to select a compression program (ZIP, RAR), minimumcompression ratio and minimum attachment size to be available for the automaticprocessing. Mass Mail. This module allows you to easily mail out personal messages using atemplate. Just create a message of any format and enter the recipient name andaddress in the appropriate place using the macros. Then add any number of therecipients. Upon completion of its operation, the module will have created apersonalized message for each recipient. Just deliver the mail. All recipients ofthe wire will receive a personalized message, and they will have an impression thatthe message was composed for them specially. E-mail Discussion Groups. The module provides a variety of additional features forworking with e-mail discussion groups (lists): sending the most common commands toserver, parsing the message content, automatic removal of ads, standardizing thesubject lines (removal of recurring and non-informative characters). Some of thefeatures will be found handy by not only the mailing list users. Reply Using Templates. The module adds additional action for the message sorter,using which you can automatically run any template. This function is very helpfulfor automating the e-mail processing. Move Duplicates. The module allows moving the message duplicates to other foldersand remove them should that be necessary.

Besides all that, we are developing the CRM module - an Outlook-based customerrelationship management system. This module will be helpful to small companies forclassifying customer databases and convenient tracking of the correspondence.The basic idea of the Potolook plug-in was creation of a uniform foundation fordevelopment of additional modules. The plug-in has the open architecture and isshipped with the source code of the core and the modules. Using Potolook, you cannow easily extend your Microsoft Outlook e-mail client's capabilities. If you useVBScript macros, you can easily call Potolook's and its modules' functions.

http://www.potoloo k.com/press/potolook_outlook_p lugin_review.asp

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