Microsoft Outlook is one of the top email software programs in the world, but there’s no email program out there that can protect you from the information overload of a busy inbox. Although Outlook has several great built-in features for managing your messages, appointments, contacts and tasks, it’s still easy to get overwhelmed. Luckily for us, there are a ton of Outlook add-ons that can help.
Some of the more recent add-ons integrate social networks into your inbox for a bit of social CRM while others focus on more advanced search and organizational tools.
Below are some of the more recent ones I’ve come across.
(One caveat: I haven’t used all of these in the list below myself. However, the ones I have used in the past – Lookeen, Xobni, and ClearContext – all worked well.)
NEO Pro 4.1 (www.emailorganizer.com) – Automatically manages your inbox and catalogs all email messages using virtual folder structure to significantly reduce email overload and boost overall productivity – with no manual upkeep, clicking, or dragging to folders.
Lookeen (www.lookeen.net) – Provides a fast search for all things in Outlook.
Xobni (www.xobni.com) – Helps find emails, conversations, contact info & attachments faster while integrating social networks and email analytics features.
ClearContext Professional (www.clearcontext.com) – Keeps messages organized by suggesting the right folders to instantly file messages and conversations with one-click.
Chilibase for Outlook (www.chilibase.net) – Easily search and track all contacts and conversation threads.
RedCritter (www.redcritter.com) – Plugs documents, tweets, messages, maps and more — all related to the message you are currently viewing — into Outlook.
SimpyFile (www.techhit.com) – Turns filing Outlook messages into a one-click action and suggesting the correct target folder.
Auto-Mate (www.pergenex.com) – Applies flexible rules to your Outlook folders periodically, automatically organizing your mail in the manner of a personal assistant.
Advanced Folders Watch (http://www.mapilab.com/outlook/folders_watch/) – Monitors new mail messages and posts appearing in Microsoft Outook folders and public folders on Microsoft Exchange Server.
E-mail Follow-Up (www.mapilab.com/outlook/email_followup/) – Reminds you if an email you sent did not receive a reply after a certain time, thus requiring a follow-up email.
Nice list, thanks… Some of them are worth a closer look. Out of them all I found Lookeen very useful, along with Auto-mate… Thanks for the suggestions 🙂