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Comparison of Desktop Software / Web / Oracle Outlook Connector Clients
The newest version of the web-based client via My-UW Madison is an advancement over the previous version and delivers features that make it easier to use. It cannot, however, replace desktop software (also known as a native client) written specifically for the operating system on one’s computer. There is desktop software for WindowsOS, MacOS9, MacOSX, Linux (RedHat, Debian, and Caldera) and Solaris. To download the latest version of these software, go to the installation procedures page. Below is a list of the ways in which the desktop software calendar clients differ from the web-based client.
Note: Oracle also provides a plug-in for Microsoft Outlook (Outlook Connector). Users using Outlook would benefit from using this plug-in. For more information about the Outlook Connector, please contact the WiscCal Service Team.
The following table highlights important similarities and differences between Oracle Connector for Outlook, the Oracle Calendar Web client and the Oracle Calendar desktop software client:| Feature | Oracle Calendar Web Client | Oracle Calendar Desktop Software Client | Oracle Connector for Outlook |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calendar | |||
| Speed | Average | Fast | Very Fast |
| Real-time access to information | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Group scheduling | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Create appointments and meetings | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Create day events | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Create tasks | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Create contacts | No | Yes | Yes |
| Display free/busy time | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Suggest common free time when inviting attendees | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Open another user's Agenda | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Assign Designate Rights | Yes | No | Yes |
| Act as a designate in another user's Agenda | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Resource scheduling | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Support for resources requiring approval | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Printing Your Agenda | Yes (one view) | Yes (multiple views) | Yes (multiple view) |
| Import/Export Options | No | Yes | Yes |
| Address Book | No | Yes | Yes |
| Offline Access | No | Yes | Yes |
| In-tray | No | Yes | Yes (within Inbox) |
| Add personal notes to calendar entries created by other users | No | No | Yes |
| Agenda Views | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Access and manage mail including server-side rules and an Out-of-Office assistant | No | No | Yes |
| Notification Types (Reminders) | |||
| Send e-mail reminders | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Send wireless reminders | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Tasks | |||
| Set task categories | No | No | Yes |
| Set priorities for tasks | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Manage tasks as a designate user | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Categories | |||
| Set meeting and event categories | No | No | Yes |
| Set contact categories | No | Yes | Yes |
| Options (Preferences) | |||
| Enable automatic sign-in | No | No | Yes |
| Global calendar access | Yes | No | No |
| Other features | |||
| Text searching | No | Yes | Yes |
| Work offline | No | Yes | Yes |
| Share contacts | No | Yes | No |
| Access and manage journals and sticky notes | No | No | Yes |
- Speed
The desktop software clients all respond much faster to both application operations (clicking on buttons, etc.) and to server-related operations (getting lists of resources, etc.).
- Creating Meetings
The desktop software clients offer many different ways to create a meeting:
- By clicking on the New Meeting toolbar icon and filling in the appropriate information.
- By selection New Meeting from the appropriate menu bar item: Edit | New | Meeting.
- By clicking and dragging a range of the time grid in the agenda window and then double-clicking the selection.
- By clicking and dragging a range of the time grid in the agenda window, right-clicking on the selection, and choosing New Meeting from the pop-up menu.
- By clicking and dragging a range of the time grid in the agenda window and then just start typing the name of the meeting; one can then double-click on it to open it and add resources/attendees if desired.
- By opening another user’s agenda and using any of the methods a.-d. above to create a new meeting which will be a meeting invitation from you to that user whose agenda you have open.
- By using the Group Agenda option to open the agendas of several users, one can use ALL of the methods shown above to create a meeting with all of the users shown in the group display; clicking and dragging should be done in the left-most column.
- One can use c.-e. above to create a meeting with any one of the users by clicking and dragging in the column beneath their name.
- Multiple Open Windows
There is a maximum of 20 windows for other agendas, group agendas, your agenda (multiple times), and your InTray that one can simultaneously open. The web client allows only one open window.
- Agenda Views
Both clients provide you with multiple options on how you want to view your agenda.
- Resources
Both clients allow you to interact with resources as long as you have been given the appropriate rights. However, only the native client features the ability to change access rights for a resource.
- Assign Designate Rights
Both clients allow you to assign designate rights to your own agenda. However, to change designate rights for a resource, you must use a native client.
- Use Designate Rights
One of the most significant features of the desktop software clients is the ability to act on another user’s behalf by having them make you a designate of their agenda. With the right access permissions, you open their agenda as a designate and create, modify, or propose meetings for them. You can only work as a designate via the native client.
- Printing
The web client only has one option to print your agenda, but the native client allows you to select from many layouts when printing your agenda.
- Import/Export Options
With the desktop software client, there are options for importing data from other applications and exporting your agenda data to other formats for transfer to other applications if so desired. The web client has no import/export options.
- Address Book
An address book is available with the desktop software client into which you can import addresses of colleagues, clients, etc. This feature is not available in the web client.
- Offline Access
One can save to offline files one’s agenda data (and the data of other users) so that in the event of a network outage one can continue working with one’s agenda. The web client does not allow for an offline agenda.
- In-tray
The In-tray is a central area in which you can see new, accepted, and rejected meeting requests, and your proposed meetings. It has several features that allow easy acceptance of meetings. The web client has no In-tray.
- Notification Types
Because the desktop softwaree client does not rely on a web browser, it can provide notification options in addition to email (both in your agenda and pop-up windows). The web client only allows email notification.
- Options
Because of the many settings/functions provided to you by the desktop software client, you have much more control over the look and feel of your agenda than what is provided to you by the web client.