Send an instant message from within Outlook

You can send an instant message to any person where the Person Names Smart Tag indicates anything except an offline status.
1. Hover over a user's name in the To: or From: field and click the Person Names Smart Tag Orb.
2. Click Send Instant Message.
 
3. Compose your message, and then click Send.
 
Notes
When you open a message in Microsoft Outlook or when it is displayed in the Reading Pane, the Person Names Smart Tag is shown beside the sender's name. In addition, each name on the To and Cc lines will display the Person Names Smart Tag when you rest the pointer on the name.