Many times you want an internal smtp address (something@yourdomain.com) to forward to an external smtp address (something@external.com).  In your on-site Microsoft Exchange you would just create a contact object in Active Directory People and Groups and configure the individual's external smtp address to accomplish this.  With Exchange Online you can also accomplish the same thing.

1. Log into the Microsoft Online Services Administration Center (https://admin.microsoftonline.com)

2. Click on Service Settings > Exchange Online > Create Contact

3. Create a new contact using the external e-mail address you want to route the internal e-mail to. Save the contact.

4. Create a new distribution list using the internal e-mail address you want to route to externally. Remember to select "Allow External Senders" if you want external people to be able to e-mail this address as well (by default only internal e-mails will be allowed).

5. Add the contact to the distribution list you created in step 4.

6. Wait a few minutes and test to see if its working!

Customers spoke and Microsoft listened - there is now support for connecting Outlook 2003 to Exchange Online!  Right now support is beta only, however Microsoft is requesting it's BPOS trial and existing customers help test the tool.  Check out the post on the Microsoft Online Services Team Blog - Using Outlook 2003 with Exchange Online.

Looking for a document to walk you through your evaluation of Microsoft Online Services (MOS) and the Business Productivity Online Suite (BPOS)?  Look no further than the PDF file below.

MSOnline_Trial_Guide_July_09.pdf (1.06 mb)