Documentation and sample code from an internal Microsoft IT project could help developers customize Outlook as a "smart client" for corporate data. Code-named Elixir, the project developed an Outlook-based client called Customer Explorer that enables Microsoft salespeople to access customer data from four internal systems, including the company's Siebel customer relationship management (CRM) installation. Of particular interest: the project used Outlook 2003's cached mode feature to enable users to view and update selected data even while disconnected from the corporate network and synchronize updates on reconnecting. For an extensive design guide and sample code derived from the project, see msdn.microsoft.com/architecture/default.aspx?pull=/library/en-us/dnbda/html/OtlkLOBCRM.asp. (Note that the sample code is not supported by Microsoft's product support services.)