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Little help with a central contact database plz.

  • 05-06-2003 02:11PM
    #1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 8,151 ✭✭✭


    Right i hope this is right forum, if not please move to where it would get mroe help. I hope i explain this properly as im knew to this stuff.

    Company i just started working for wants me to try and create a central contacts database that is preferably accessible and editable through outlook 2000. This database would need to be able to be viewed/ edited by all. Eventuallu this would be integrated into the companies intranet.
    We've tried the one built into outlook (global address list i think?) but it seems to be archiving every couple of months (ie it disappears but no archive can be found of it/ or options).

    I have tried to create a central database using access 2000 but that can only be linked to one outlook 2000 client. If i try to link it to more i get an translation error and that no tables can be found.
    At the moment the only option i have is to create a master contact list database which i update and export to each machine periodically. (is doable as its a small office and contact list doesnt change often) Any one know if its possible in some way to link onc access database to multiple outlook 2000 clients? :)

    Did some googling and believe i found a way to do it using MS exchange 5.5 (which is what is used here). The instructions confused me slightly and as i have no experience with Exchange 5.5 i am wary to start fiddling about. Any one know of a good tutorial/instrutions page?

    Basically whats the best way to create this please? :D
    (sorry for long post in a n00bish manner but im really stuck at this stage :( )


Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 8,151 ✭✭✭BKtje


    Actually made a little headway since my post above.

    Got it working properly tho i assume its just gonna delete itself in a couple weeks or whatever time it takes. (hasnt happened since i been here but im told it happens ;) )

    Im just gonna back it up once a week to an access database so that if it ever goes we'll only lose a weeks contacts.

    Kinda weird that i was able to sort it out so quickly after posting. This has been boggling my mind for the last 3 days :p


  • Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 97,532 Mod ✭✭✭✭Capt'n Midnight


    Exchange 5.5 - drop everything and look up EXMERGE.EXE - lifesaver - you can export everything to pst files :) - then back to your problem.

    You have of course turned off auto-archive on all users who have write access to the dB - and you have to do the same for new users and when existing users get a new profile by logging onto another PC..

    In the permissions on the public folder set up users to be only able to delete their own stuff - that way you should be able to ID the culprit

    Exchange Admin
    into the Server / click on Public Information Store -click on your shared folder - File Properties
    main thing to watch out is the propogate to all sub folders tab for permissions on the first page.
    You can of course add permissions to Distribution lists - makes it much easier to add / remover users later on without having to sort out the permissions.





    ========================================
    Non Exchange ways:

    Another option is to export the list to a PST file and then on logon have users
    XCOPY /D \\server\share\list.pst C:\EMAIL\LIST.PST
    This way everyone can read the list and if they trash it no worries and the /D means it gets updated if there are changes in the one on the server. (any user changes get zapped on next logon :) )

    Since contacts in outlook are vcf files you could get users to dump them into a common folder and then the admin could add them to the PST file each day (drag / drop)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 8,151 ✭✭✭BKtje


    i'll have a look tomorrow when i head in again.
    atm i think i got the contacts thing workin with access tho. Just linked the main contacts in outlook to an access database and tweaked a cpl things. Seems to work.
    Will try your ways tomoz and see what i get.

    Thanks for input :)


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