Instead of developing a separate application or a new user interface, you can extend the Microsoft Exchange Client. You can add command extensions, event extensions, property sheet extensions, and advanced search criteria, as discussed in the following topics.
Writing a client extension is the most common way to add menu commands to the Microsoft Exchange Client. A client extension can be created using several different methods:
For more information, see the Microsoft Exchange Client Extensions Programmer's Reference.
You can build custom event handling into the Microsoft Exchange Client so the client can launch your application at the critical time during normal processing. Examples of events that can be synchronized with your application include:
Visual C++ can be used to create customized event handling. For message delivery, the application can be tied to the MAPI spooler. For more information, see CRARUN: Creating a Custom Rule Action and Requesting Object Notifications.
You can replace the advanced search criteria window with a custom search criteria window. Visual C++ and advanced search criteria extensions can be used to create this functionality. Keep in mind that only one advanced search criteria window at a time is available, so make the context for using yours as specific as possible.
You can add another pane to the Viewer window. The limits of Viewer window development are discussed in Client Application Development Options.
For complete information about developing client extensions, see the Microsoft Exchange Client Extensions Programmer's Reference.