Reading UAB-Email via the Web - Outlook Web Access (OWA)

Outlook Web Access works similar to any other Web-based e-mail client, such as Yahoo!, Popmail, or Hotmail. It has all the basic e-mail functions: an Inbox for incoming mail, an Outbox for outgoing mail, mail forwarding, the ability to use attachments, etc. It also has several advanced functions, such as an appointment scheduler, daily and weekly calendar, and an address book. In addition, the OWA makes it easy to find anyone in the UAB Phonebook.UAB faculty, staff, and students can log on to the directory at https://mail.ad.uab.edu/. You will then be prompted for your BlazerID and password. You must enter your full e-mail address as your BlazerID. For further information about the BlazerID, visit BlazerID Central.

Once logged in the OWA, you can compose, read, and forward e-mail, create folders to store their messages, and set up an address book of contacts. The commands work the same as any other e-mail program: “Inbox” is where incoming mail is stored; “New” brings up a blank e-mail to be composed; “Send” delivers the mail; “Reply” creates an e-mail form already addressed to the sender of the message being replied to; “Forward” copies an e-mail and sends it to another address; “Attach” allows a file from your hard drive or network to be sent with the e-mail.

What are the benefits of using the OWA?

One of the biggest benefits of using the new OWA is its efficiency in finding the e-mail addresses of other UAB students and faculty. No longer do you have to go to the Phonebook, search for a name, and then go to your e-mail program to send a message. The new OWA does all this at once. In the “Send to” field of the e-mail, simply type in the person’s name you want to send a message to. The same goes for UAB departments. In addition, if there is more than one result from the search, the OWA will give you a list of options to choose from (for instance, if you type in Doe in the “Send to” field, the OWA will give you a choice of JohnDoe@uab.edu or JaneDoe@uab.edu). Literally, any one or thing listed in the UAB Phonebook can be found with the OWA. In addition, any changes made in the Phonebook are automatically updated, and will not affect the OWA’s searches. In addition, all faculty, staff, and students will be given 50 MB of mailbox space, meaning you will rarely have to delete messages due to space constraints (to compare, Yahoo! Offers only 6 MB of space, which can hold over 200 e-mails). Your browser must have Secure connection (SSL) enabled to access the OWA. Most browsers have this, but if you are unsure you can find out more information at the IT Documentation Web site.

The OWA also has a calendar and daily planner, which will store appointments and notes, and an “Out of Office Assistant” which can auto-reply to e-mails if you are away.

The OWA also has an innovative function called the Appointment Scheduler. Using the Appointment form, you can compose invitations to meetings or functions; if the recipient accepts the invitation, the OWA will automatically add the meeting time and place to each OWA user’s calendar, as well as send a reminder as the appointment time grows near.

Where can I get more help on the OWA?

There is additional documentation on OWA which can be found by following the OWA links on the left-hand menu of this page. For any troubleshooting concerning the OWA, send an e-mail to the AskIT Help Desk, located on the first floor of Lister Hill Library, or call them at 996-5555. Also, Microsoft offers many tutorials and guides on their Web site.