When Exchange 2010 is released, it will include an enhanced Server ActiveSync capability that when used with a device running Windows Mobile 6.5, will include the ability to synchronise not only email, contacts, calendar entries and tasks, but also SMS test messages (http://blog.brightpointuk.co.uk/exchange-2010-features).

You will be to send SMS messages from within Exchange 2010 Outlook Web Access (OWA) in your web browser or Outlook 2010 on the desktop: select New --> Text Message, enter in a contact (which has a mobile number associated with it) or a specific telephone number, complete a suitable message and hit send. The message will be synced to your device's SMS Outbox and from there be sent as a text message. It will also appear in the Sent Items folder on both the device, and your Exchange mailbox.

Configuration

The setup procedure will be the same as with existing devices:

once you have entered the details of the Exchange Server as well as your account details, on the screen where you would normally be prompted to select the mailbox folders you wish to synchronise, in addition to the usual email, contacts calendar and tasks folders, you will now have the option of selecting Text Messages - only if you are connecting to a server running Exchange 2010:

Once connected, you will receive an automated email in your Inbox from the Exchange server itself informing you that the new feature has been enabled:

Usage

Once the feature has been enabled, the Text Messaging feature will show as being enabled within your account properties:

When composing a new message within Outlook Web Access (OWA), you will now have the option of selecting a Text Message:

The message window will indicate the number of characters that are available to be entered:

Once sent, the message will appear in the Sent Items folder: