Microsoft Exchange Server provides a foundation for
shared address lists through the global address list;
enter outside addresses as custom recipients. If everyone
is using Microsoft Outlook, you can also create
public
folders for sharing contacts.
If you don't have Exchange Server, beyond the tools listed below,
you might consider using:
An LDAP
server -- especially if you have a Windows 2000 server running
Active Directory, which is Outlook can access with its LDAP service.
See Shared address book
with Active Directory.
Net
Folders (Outlook 98 and Outlook 2000 only and not fully reliable)
As
noted above, for Exchange Server users, the Global Address
List or a public Contacts folder provide a built-in means
for Exchange Server users to tap into a shared address
list. These tools can take it one step further by
synchronizing the GAL or a Contacts folder with other
contact databases or synchronizing user Contacts folders
with a public folder.
3StepShare is designed to facilitate the sharing of Outlook folders (calendar, contact, task and email) without the need for Exchange, server computers, monthly hosting fees, or a computer specialist to install and keep it running. See for yourself just how easy 3StepShare makes sharing Outlook calendars, contacts, tasks, and email with your colleagues and friends. Trial version available.
SimpleSync is a tool that synchronizes data between directories, providing organizations with a unified view of their disparate directories. SimpleSync can scale from a small directories with hundreds of objects to enterprise directories consisting of hundreds of thousands of objects without requiring extensive training or installation/configuration time. All major directories and databases supported.
Synchronizes any ODBC data source with data in a public or personal folder in Outlook or Exchange, including Outlook Contacts. Many other data integration features. (Formerly Replic-Action)
Synchronizes the GAL or Active Directory with other databases. Also automatically rebuilds distribution lists according to criteria, searches mailboxes for specific content and acts on matching messages, archives messages meeting certain criteria, manages public folder permissions, and provides other Exchange management features.
An NT/2000/XP Service that copies Global Address List information to a database, using Extended MAPI, not ADSI or CDO. GALtoDB supports Microsoft Access, Oracle, Microsoft SQL, and most other database systems. It includes the ability to create a new distribution list based on information from the Global Address List, while excluding email addresses that match criteria that you define, perfect for creating or recreating an up-to-date distribution list that does not contain unwanted accounts, such as Service Accounts, opt'ed out accounts, VIP accounts, etc.
Law practice management tools for Microsoft Outlook, using contacts, tasks, appointments, and journal items. With Exchange Server, the information can be shared centrally with contacts synchronized throughout the firm. Includes time docketing.
Insight AddressBook is an Outlook plug-in that has the same look and feel as Microsoft's Global Address List, from an LDAP server. This application is designed to provide customers, with even very large directory, instantaneous lookups when using the "check name" feature in a new mail message. It has caching capabilities, and queries take less than three seconds for the entire directory. The AddressBook integrates completely with Insight Connector and Outlook. The browsable GAL can lookup and display the name, email, phone numbers, fax, and more for each user. In addition, the schema can be changed to work with other mail servers. Free trial available.
The itrezzo EPS software provides Mission Cricital Contact Management for wireless handheld users. While BlackBerry Enterprise Server, Microsoft Active Sync, Goodlink, and Intellisync provide a method to mirror a users Outlook Address Book with their PDA address book, itrezzoAgent EPS enhances content within the address book. For example, EPS reads multiple data sources to merge contacts. After contacts are merged from these datasources, the data is used to update and push new contacts to hundreds, or thousands of Exchange Mailboxes. These contacts can be placed in the main contacts folder, or separated into a contact sub folder. Free Trial available.
Tool for two-way data transfer between Outlook and Microsoft Access (or through Access to any ODBC data source), including custom fields. Handling of contact links and appointment recurrences. Automatically creates Access tables based on Outlook fields. Updates can be run on a scheduled for automatic synchronization.
