Enable IM from Exchange 2010 SP2 OWA on mailbox basis

In a previous post I showed how to integrate Lync server with Exchange 2010 SP2 OWA . For now I’ll show how to selectively enable users for OWA instant messaging

For this I will use one of Exchange 2010 newly introduced capability , namely , Outlook Web App Mailbox Policies which allows admins to specify the desired to-be-available at OWA features such as instant messaging on a mailbox basis.

As you can see below , a default policy exists with all features enabled by default [Including “Instant Messaging” ]

Let’s create a new one “IT Guy OWA policy” with “Instant messaging” feature disabled

• Create a new Outlook Web App Mailbox Policy

• Set “Instant Messaging” feature to Disable

• Confirm successful creation of the policy

Now , we have our new policy “IT Guy OWA policy” in place .

Now let’s assign the new policy to the desired mailbox(es).

• From user’s mailbox properties , go to “Mailbox features” tab  , select Outlook Web App and then click properties.

• Check “Outlook Web App Mailbox policy” checkbox and click “Browse”

• Choose “IT Guy OWA policy” from the list and click Ok.

• Click Ok again.

• And once more to finally apply the settings.

• Now as policy was assigned let’s go and test from OWA

As you can see for IT Guy it is not available while for User1 it is there ; Nice , isn’t ?