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)
- A web-based contact list with a synchronization feature
- Using the Briefcase to Share Microsoft Outlook Folders
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.
MAPI Providers | Database Synchronization Tools | Exchange Server Tools
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Tools in the Spotlight
Automatically sync Office 365 Global Address Lists from Outlook to business smartphones in minutes. Always synced. Anytime. Anywhere. CiraSync is a secure, Azure-based SaaS platform. Centrally managed, requires no software to install, no user training, and can scale to thousands of business smartphones. Try the always free Personal Edition or a free 30-day, 100-user trial for the Enterprise Edition (no credit card/contract needed). | |
UnitySync provides organizations with a synchronized view of their disparate directories. UnitySync can scale from 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 (including Office 365 Exchange). |
Tools
Add2Exchange Enterprise Contacts with GAL Sync syncs Exchange global address list to users so they have a local copy of your corporate address book contacts and on smartphones and mobile devices. Global Address List synchronization allows you to treat the GAL as the 'source' public folder of a relationship to be synchronized one way with one or more users' mailbox folders. Supports small attached photos and Outlook fields which are not in the GAL. Sync 1-way, not bi-directional. Can sync Calendars, Tasks, Posts, Notes, and builds relationships with the Relationship Group Manager. 21 day trial. | |
Directory Search is an easy-to-use web application that turns your Active Directory in to a corporate phonebook. The administrator defines which fields are visible and the search criteria that can be used. Features include displaying each user's photo (from the thumbnailPhoto attribute) and exporting search results to CSV or Excel. | |
DynamicGroup generates dynamic groups in AD and assigns group memberships automatically. DynamicGroup can: Automatically updated AD groups. Smart creation of groups based on attributes and OUs. Bulk import for mass creation of hundreds of groups. Exclude- and include-lists. Flat group option (nested groups). Copy groups as templates. Use prefixes as an orientation guide. Set dates or time intervals to update groups. Preview a dynamic group to see potential members. Definition of a search root as the entry point. | |
Exclaimer Address Tagging for Microsoft Exchange 2013/2010/2007 is the only software of its kind to allow users to create any number of disposable email addresses for Exchange. This feature is currently available in Gmail, Yahoo Mail, iCloud and Outlook.com, but has never been a part of Exchange. Address Tagging for Exchange lets users create and manage any number of temporary email addresses without involving the Exchange System Administrator. Easily identify who you are giving your email address to. 30 day trial. | |
Priasoft provides a solution for pre-staging objects and synchronizing address book attributes between two or more Exchange environments. The CS (Collaboration Suite) helps with co-existence migration plans and can also be used to migrate and synchronize Distribution Lists and their members between environments. The tools provided allow for the creation of various types of objects as needed such as contacts, mail-enabled users, mailbox-enabled users, linked-mailbox users, and mail-enabled groups. | |
As you know, Exchange online limits the number of recipients (both internal and external) per message for each mailbox. There is no way to limit the number of distribution lists a certain group of people can send to. If you run Outlook OWA or Outlook 365 on Windows or Outlook on Mac, RestrictDLs add-in will solve this problem. | |
As you know, Exchange online limits the number of recipients (both internal and external) per message for each mailbox. There is no way to limit the number of external recipients a certain group of people can send to. If you run Outlook OWA or Outlook 365 on Windows or Outlook on Mac, RestrictExtRecips add-in will solve this problem. |
I opened MS outlook 2016 yesterday to find that i only had approx 5 contacts. All other contacts had disappeared. Can you help? 7 Jan 2020
It was great to be here. Thank you so much for sharing this useful information.
Yes ... the design is clearly needed to be changed :)
What would be brighter , nebudu (
how can i send newsleter from publishers to mails directly ?
From Microsoft Publisher? File, Send should work but note that Publisher generates really bad emails. It turns everything into pictures. It's better to use a realy HTML editor or even design it in Outlook.