Outlook duplicate mail issue when on the road with Curve

[avivid]

I have a customer that periodically has an issue with Outlook 2003 getting hundreds of duplicate messages. It happens when he is on the road for a sustained amount of time and away from his office computer (with Outlook closed). When he gets back to his office, all the mail received on his ATT Curve come back through on Outlook and more confusing are duplicated.

I have read many issues with duplicate mail going to the Blackberry, but not to Outlook.

In looking at the problem, I noticed that he has all sent mail BCC'd to his mail address so that Outlook will have record of the mail (he is using BIS not BES). I did mention that upgrading to Exchange and using BES might be a better solution, albeit it an expensive one for them.

Any ideas of why this could be occurring as many users have the BCC option and have not noted this issue?

Any help and/or advice is much appreciated!

Best regards,

Andy

[ssadowski]

Originally Posted by avivid

I have a customer that periodically has an issue with Outlook 2003 getting hundreds of duplicate messages. It happens when he is on the road for a sustained amount of time and away from his office computer (with Outlook closed). When he gets back to his office, all the mail received on his ATT Curve come back through on Outlook and more confusing are duplicated.

Is he using exchange server now? If not, is it pop3 or IMAP? Does he have this issue when in his normal calling area, and just not notice it because the volume is lower?

A few more details would help identify the issues!

[avivid]

He is using POP3 mail with no Exchange Server. I believe it has happened once or so while in the home area, however probably not as often as if he is in the home area, he typically would still pop by his office. Most of the time it happens, he is out of state. Hope this helps!

Thanks!

Andy

[ssadowski]

Originally Posted by avivid

He is using POP3 mail with no Exchange Server. I believe it has happened once or so while in the home area, however probably not as often as if he is in the home area, he typically would still pop by his office. Most of the time it happens, he is out of state. Hope this helps!

Thanks!

Andy

Sure, Andy - BIS polls the mail server periodically for new messages, but does not necessarily mark them as read. It leaves the messages on the server, so when the client opens outlook the next time, they're probably all pulled down.

I think that's just a 'way it is' issue, unless he switches to IMAP or to exchange/BES. The same thing would happen if he were using a PC based mail program, checking his POP3 mail and his account was set up to leave mail on the server. When he got back to his office, Outlook would again download all his mail.

I'd say switch to IMAP (if that's an option) first to see if the problem clears itself up. POP3 is a silly protocol anyway, in my opinion.

[avivid]

I agree with the IMAP idea as I already suggested it. It may not be possible at this time unless they upgrade to their own Exchange Server for data backup reasons.

This is a un-documented case as far as I can tell. Any other suggestions are welcome.

Thanks in advance!

Andy

[sim_plic_i_ty]

Is he using gmail? because then there is a workaround for it.

[avivid]

He is using his ISP's mail. I have read some similar stuff regarding GMail and that was about all I could find on the subject (or at least close!).

Any other imput is appreciated.

Thanks!

A