We're currently using a public folder to share a contact list (external addresses) throughout the company. My understanding is that Microsoft would like to phase out public folders, if that's the case what is the recommended way of sharing a contact list between multiple users

Hi,Are you looking for Global address List (GAL)? The global address list (GAL) is a directory that contains entries for every group, user, and contact within an organization's implementation of Microsoft Exchange. You cannot use the Exchange Management Console to create a GAL. You must use the New-GlobalAddressList cmdlet in the Exchange Management Shell. Regards from http://www.windowsadmin.info/

The contact list is for email addresses outside of the organization and must be shared with all the users in the organization. I'm just asking if there is a better way that doesn't involve public folders.

You could create mail-enabled contacts for all those external accounts then put them in a separate address list that is viewable in the GAL.http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb124384(EXCHG.80).aspxHow to Create an Address ListBy the way, public folders arent going away any time soon.

Interesting any thoughts how I could import 600 contacts from outlook into a Mail Enabled Contacts in Exchange? Aside from the email address I also need to import their business phone number and business fax number.

Create a csv and add and mail-enable in bulk:Here are some examples you could modify for your purposes:http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb684891(EXCHG.80).aspx How to Mail-Enable Multiple Existing Contacts http://exchangeorg.net/archive/2007/04/12/bulk-create-mail-contacts-based-on-a-csv-file.aspxhttp://it.peterspowerblog.com/2009/02/04/creating-bulk-contacts-in-exchange-2007-using-powershell.aspx

Interesting, I guess its a two part issue.. I have to import the contact info (Fax, Address, Phone, etc) into an Active Directory OU as a Contact Object, then mail enable the contact. When I mail enable the contact it creates aliases for our organization to.. ie: jsmith@external-org.tld & jsmith@my-org.tld. Is there anyway for the Non-Mail Enabled Active Directory Contact Object to show up in the Global Address List, or, to not create a local (ie:@my-org.tld) email address when mail enabling a contact.

I changed the email address policy so it doesn't process Mail Enabled contacts.. that solved the @my-ord.tld issue Interesting stuff.. I must research it further..

A related thread for your reference:http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/exchangesvradmin/thread/5d4d42c9-dc07-4b19-a5d2-31757a2a796f