Thankfully, there is a relatively simple workaround for Outlook 2007 and an additional registry setting needed for Outlook 2003 SP2.
Step 1 (Exchange 2000/2003 only): Add a SIP proxy address in Exchange Server for the user account that specifies the user's SIP URI.
Step 2 (Outlook 2003 SP2 only):
By default, Outlook 2003 SP2 does not search for the user's SIP address to get the presence information.
1. Click Start, click Run, type regedit, and then press ENTER.
2. Locate the following registry subkey:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\11.0\Common\PersonaMenu
3. Click Edit, point to New, and then click DWORD value.
4. Type
QueryServiceForStatus, and then click OK.
5. Double-click
QueryServiceForStatus, type 2, and then click OK.
6. Click Edit, point to New, and then click DWORD value.
7. Type
EnableDynamicPresence, and then click OK.
8. Double-click
EnableDynamicPresence, type 1, and then click OK.
9. Exit Registry Editor.
After you create these registry keys, Outlook 2003 SP2 shows presence information.
You can read more about it
here.