How Contact Manager works
Contact Manager uses the data in directory export files to create corresponding contacts on a target directory. The data in the file is used to name the object and to populate further attributes that are present in the file, such as department, office and description fields. Contacts are created with their email address from the source file.
On subsequent imports, new contacts are added and existing contacts updated with any new or changed information. Contacts can be given an expiry date which is updated on each import. Should a contact no longer appear on the source file, it will be removed from the directory after a given period.
Duplicates
To avoid creating duplicate entries on a directory, Contact Manager uses full duplicate checking before creating a contact. A collection of all email addresses on the directory is created and referenced to ensure no duplicates are created.
Structuring using rules
A matching rules engine allows precise filtering of entries in the source file. Entries meeting different criteria can be created in different locations on the target directory. For example, the organisation value could be used, creating contacts from individual organisations in seperate containers on the directory.
Populating further attributes
As well as using the data from the source file, Contact Manager can add further data to the contacts. This can include address, organisation and description values. Different values can be applied to entries using the matching engine. For example, all entries from a specific organisation can have a fixed value added to the description field. This value can then be used in creating distribution lists and exchange address book views.
Formatting object and display name
As standard, objects are created using their existing alias and display names found in the source file. However, in order to create a well managed directory, the object name and display name values can be changed. These can be formed from a combination of values from the file and free text. For example, the first name and last name values can be used along with a organisation name to create an object name of "John Smith This Organisation".
File types
Contact Manager can process Exchange 5.5 and Active Directory export files directly without the need for any formatting. Contact Manager also processes native files from all other BDS Solutions products. New file types can easily be added on request.
Further Information
Support
1.9.0
Release Date: 30 Aug 2007