outlook contact list sync with web app??

[Guest]

We developed a custom CRM type web application for a client in asp.net 2.0
and sql 2005. The application is hosted on a server external to the client.
They would like their sales reps to be able to synchronize their contact list
from the web app with their outlook contacts. I had thought of giving them a
csv download but using outlook’s import function will not synchronize. Anyone
have any suggestions? On the extreme end I could see creating some web
services for the app and a desktop app that would tie into outlook and call
the web services but am looking for possible simpler solutions for now. A one
way sync from the web app to outlook might be ok for the time being.

Thanks for your help!
Shelly Campbell

 

[Sue Mosher [MVP-Outlook]]

Does your client use Exchange as their mail server? If so, then your CRM application might be able to talk directly to the Exchange server, depending on the access allowed by the client. Exchange development docs start at http://msdn.microsoft.com/exchange/ with discussions in the microsoft.public.exchange.development newsgroup.

If not, then a web service would allow you expose a contacts list for read-only access in Outlook 2003 and later, using the technique described at http://blogs.msdn.com/toub/archive/2004/12/22/330125.aspx to make it look like a Windows SharePoint Services contacts list. If the client insists on putting these contacts in their default Contacts folder, not in a separate list, though, you'll have no option but to provide a downloadable component to perform the sync on the client system.

--
Sue Mosher, Outlook MVP
Author of Configuring Microsoft Outlook 2003

and Microsoft Outlook Programming - Jumpstart for
Administrators, Power Users, and Developers

 

[Guest]

Thanks Sue. I'll try out your suggestions.

Shelly

 

[Guest]

Sue,

They do use Exchange 2000 but the CRM web app is hosted externally. Could it
still talk to it?

Thanks!
Shelly Campbell

 

[Sue Mosher [MVP-Outlook]]

That's a conversation that you need to have with the Exchange administrator, because security and firewall issues are involved.
--
Sue Mosher, Outlook MVP
Author of Configuring Microsoft Outlook 2003

and Microsoft Outlook Programming - Jumpstart for
Administrators, Power Users, and Developers

 

[Guest]

Alrighty... thanks!

That's a conversation that you need to have with the Exchange administrator, because security and firewall issues are involved.
--
Sue Mosher, Outlook MVP
Author of Configuring Microsoft Outlook 2003

and Microsoft Outlook Programming - Jumpstart for
Administrators, Power Users, and Developers