Me and a few coworkers are considering options to create a server-based database of work contacts that we would be able to utilize with Outlook. Right now our company doesnt have MS Office set up to do the intra-office contact thingy, and each user is on a different version of Office to boot (if that even makes a difference).


I have considered creating a db using Base from Open Office, but I do not know if I would be able to create something that would be a one-click email creation back to Outlook. I have done some standard db creation and editing in Access...but my knowledge and skill with the subjectmatter is slim to none.


I assume that if I were to get the db started in base the most simple way to get the contact email to Outlook would be a copy-paste ordeal.


Anything? (or go home dude, you're worthless with computers)

9/10/2009 1:43:43 PM

Um... Public folders and a shared contact list?

I mean... HELLO

9/10/2009 1:45:10 PM

oh goddamn

you saying like a read-only excel file that an individual can double click on the address?

9/10/2009 1:46:32 PM

No... I'm saying the easiest possible and really only non-retarded way of doing this is to set up a public folder in Exchange and then put a shared contact list in it.

You really are trying to make this a shit ton harder than it has to be, and none of that you were talking about is going to work worth a shit anyway.

9/10/2009 1:50:52 PM

I've no experience with exchange, and I will go so far as to say my company wouldnt foot the $$$, time and effort to implement such software.

9/10/2009 2:35:25 PM

They're not using Exchange for their email to start with?

If they're not, then it's going to be a pretty difficult thing to accomplish and have work very well.

9/10/2009 2:41:42 PM

implement exchange.

what version of outlook?

9/10/2009 2:43:46 PM

haha damn, Office 2000, '03 and '07 spread throughout the office. We've cut back to ~40% of the company's personnel for $$$ reasons, so adding more software and training at the current time is no option

[Edited on September 10, 2009 at 3:15 PM. Reason : ***but my interest for exchange has been increased!**]

9/10/2009 3:15:17 PM

office 2007 has a "share my contacts folder" option. i've never used it, but i would have to guess it'd do more or less what you're wanting.

i don't think earlier versions have that option

so, download illegal version of office 2007, install on all machines that need upgrading, ... , profit.

9/10/2009 3:44:04 PM

I'm going to do a little sleuthing and see how many workstations have office 07...

9/10/2009 4:44:27 PM

our office runs 2003 and 2007 and our secretary's contact list is shared on the server and we all have a shortcut to it in outlook. works fine for us. i copy/paste them to my own just to cut down on 1 click.

9/10/2009 4:45:43 PM

^thats basically what I am after. IIRC, there are 3-5 workstations with office 2000 (mine included ) that really need to be upgraded.

9/10/2009 4:48:56 PM

exchange

if $$ is an issue, look into Windows SBS. the standard version comes with Exchange 2007. a 5 CAL base license is $1089.

i'm also fairly sure that it comes with an outlook 2007 license for each CAL... but i can't remember. i think there was an outlook 2007 disc in the box, at least.

[Edited on September 10, 2009 at 10:29 PM. Reason : exchange was sort of made for this kind of thing]

9/10/2009 10:25:55 PM

^ haha, no way anyone will go for the $1k/license


we po/countray folk

9/10/2009 10:38:49 PM

oh lawd, that's pretty bad

go get a technet subscription, haha

9/10/2009 11:12:49 PM