You should not register a resource mailbox for Auto Accept Agent in Exchange 2003 when you set up a resource for direct booking in Outlook (903290)

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The following information explains why you should not register a resource mailbox for Auto Accept Agent in Exchange Server 2003 when you set up a resource mailbox for direct booking in Outlook:

• The Direct Booking feature lets users create meetings that conflict with other appointments that are in the calendar. A user can intentionally or unintentionally create a meeting request that conflicts with the resource's calendar. This function of the Direct Booking feature is in direct conflict with Auto Accept Agent. Auto Accept Agent does not let a user create meetings that conflict with other appointments that are in the calendar.
  
  When Auto Accept Agent processes meeting requests, it examines the availability of the resource's calendar. Then, Auto Accept Agent sends an accept or decline message to the meeting organizer based on the following criteria:
  • If any part of the span of time between the start and end times of the meeting request is marked as busy or as tentative on the resource calendar, the meeting request is declined. Then, Auto Accept Agent sends a decline message to the meeting organizer.
  • If any part of the span of time between the start and end times of the meeting request is marked as free on the resource calendar, the meeting request is accepted. Then, Auto Accept Agent sends an accept message to the meeting organizer.
  
  
  Additionally, the Direct Booking feature lets a user remove or adjust the calendar items that are directly put on the calendar. Auto Accept Agent does not let a user remove or adjust the calendar items that are directly put on the calendar.
• The Direct Booking feature settings conflict with Auto Accept Agent settings. By default, the Direct Booking feature accepts all recurring meeting requests, regardless of conflicts. Additionally, you can set the Direct Booking feature to decline all recurring meeting requests.
  
  This Direct Booking feature setting conflicts with the default setting of Auto Accept Agent. By default, Auto Accept Agent may decline some meeting requests and accept other meeting requests. Auto Accept Agent cannot perform this function if the Direct Booking feature is enabled.
  
  Additionally, scheduling conflicts may occur if the Direct Booking feature is accidentally enabled on a mailbox that uses Auto Accept Agent to handle the schedule.

A meeting organizer no longer has to specify an Auto Accept Agent registered resource mailbox as a resource attendee in a meeting request for Auto Accept Agent to successfully process the request. However, if a user does specify a room as a required or an optional attendee, they must manually add the room location in the Location field.