I often hear it said that InfoPath is the way forward for Outlook
customization rather than custom Outlook forms, but what specifically does
this mean?

Is it possible to make an InfoPath form a default form in Outlook, for
example, if I wanted to customize my new meeting request form? Or are they
talking about the general mechanism of emailing InfoPath forms and then
receiving them back in Outlook folders? What is the level of integration
possible between InfoPath forms and Outlook forms?

This is referred to in a lot of recent Microsoft literature but I can't find
it spelled out in detail anywhere.

It means that where Outlook custom message forms look like they should be useful for data gathering, few organizations can meet the prerequisites for making them work in that fashion. InfoPath forms, on the other hand, are excellent for surveys and other data gathering tasks. InfoPath forms, however, have little to do with storing items in Outlook folders or working with Outlook-specific items like appointments and contacts. The way forward for those types of items is form regions, a new Outlook 2007 extensibility feature.

Is it possible to make an InfoPath form a default form in Outlook, for
example, if I wanted to customize my new meeting request form?

No.

Or are they
talking about the general mechanism of emailing InfoPath forms and then
receiving them back in Outlook folders?

Or, directly into other applications.

What is the level of integration
possible between InfoPath forms and Outlook forms?

Without custom programming, none. They are two entirely different forms mechanisms.
--
Sue Mosher, Outlook MVP
Author of Microsoft Outlook 2007 Programming:
Jumpstart for Power Users and Administrators
http://www.outlookcode.com/article.aspx?id=54


"Todd I. Stark" Todd I. wrote in message ...
I often hear it said that InfoPath is the way forward for Outlook
customization rather than custom Outlook forms, but what specifically does
this mean?



This is referred to in a lot of recent Microsoft literature but I can't find
it spelled out in detail anywhere.