We are trying to create a 2nd GAL so we can add our sister companies contact details, we only need contact details not accounts as we are separate companies but part of the same group so email between. We can not seem to find a solution to this all searches seem to refer to creating new GAL with sister companies accounts which is not what we want. Has any body done this before or no how we can achieve it. We would like a best practice solution for exporting contact details from exchange 2003 also which will meat the required format for exchange 2007 importing. Again we could not find a way on how to import the .csv file in to a GAL either so any pointer on this would also be gratefully received. System: Windows 2008 sp1 Exchange 2007 sp1

GAL: Here is an article to create additional GAL in Exchange 2007. In cmdlet switch-IncludedRecipients pass the valueMailcontacts instead ofAllRecipients so it will just pick up all contacts. Multiple Global Address List ( GAL ) in Exchange 2007 http://exchangeshare.wordpress.com/2008/04/05/multiple-global-address-list-gal-in-exchange-2007/ Also while creating Contacts for another company, set the value of Company attribute to company name so while creating GAL you can pass it intoConditionalCompany parameter. Contacts Creation: Here is an article to import contacts from CSV file. Bulk create mail contacts based on a CSV file http://exchangeorg.net/archive/2007/04/12/bulk-create-mail-contacts-based-on-a-csv-file.aspxAmit Tank | MVP - Exchange | MCITP:EMA MCSA:M | http://ExchangeShare.WordPress.com

HI.. thanks for the quick response. I notice that you have placed a postfix 1 and 2 for each account that this mean we have to go through all our current accounts and contacts and add a postfix to them first?The document for importing contacts details from .csv file does not cover phone numbers lind line and mobile is this possible?sorry but not been using 2007 for long so still green.I would of thosuhgt that you create a new GAL say called 'sister'then import teh sister contacts from .csv file direct to this GALIs this correct as I still a little unsure what to do

No, that is just test environment so I had created object in sequence so I don't have to remember names :) Yes, that article doesn't cover how to update detailed info for contacts, here is one which covers it... Import Contacts into Exchange 2007 using CSV http://blog.sortedit.net/2007/10/21/import-contacts-into-exchange-2007-using-csv.aspx No it is not possible to create a gal and just import contacts from CSV to this GAL because GAL is a representation of mail enabled objects of Active Director so your contacts should be imported in AD/Exchange to display in new GAL based on conditions we defined while creating it. Amit Tank | MVP - Exchange | MCITP:EMA MCSA:M | http://ExchangeShare.WordPress.com

HI.. thanks for the prompt response, the link for importing fields does not include phone numbers or at lease i couldnt see it any where and contact with out phone is only half a job.Is there a simpler way of creating an address book in exchange so all outlook clients can see it and use it when needed (eg change the address book whne browsing for contacts)What i have inplace presently for our sister company is contacts in public folders but sr management want an address list that can be easier accessed through outlookOur sister company has around 2-3k users

Ooops sorry wrong link, I just corrected the same... Nop, I don't think so we have any other option because as I told GAL just picks up the objects from the Active Directory based on conditions we set while creating it...Amit Tank | MVP - Exchange | MCITP:EMA MCSA:M | http://ExchangeShare.WordPress.com

Why not put up a forest trust and leverage the Availability Service/Inter Org Replication?Installing, configuring, and using the InterOrg Replication utilityhttp://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/238573What does Exchange 2007 Availability Service do?http://msexchangeteam.com/archive/2006/10/23/429296.aspxI would be concerned that the GAL will get out dated etc so you will need to keep that up to date.Or am I missing the objective?BP - MCITP:EMA, MCTS

Hi.. their is no chance of getting exchange servers linked so replication is a NO NO.The point on keeping these up to date was another concern we have as not sure how this would be done when all we get from sister company is a export of the contacts in .csv file monthly. and as all current and sister users/contacts are going to be in exchangeAD how can this be carried out easily as I guess at least once a month would be needed within such a large company where staff move to new department, leave etc. Do you have a link that shows how to import.csv file which includes phone number also or can you send me an example how this is done. again many thanks for your contineous help

Only thing I can think of: Name,email John Doe,jdoe@mail.com import-csv C:\contact.csv | foreach { New-MailContact -alias $_.name -Name $_.name -ExternalEmailAddress $_.email -OrganizationalUnit 'EXCH.ORG/Contact Users' }That would place them in a OU of Contact Users.BP - MCITP:EMA, MCTS

Here is the sample to Import contact and set other info like Telephone, Fax & Mobile... Import Contacts into Exchange 2007 using CSV http://blog.sortedit.net/2007/10/21/import-contacts-into-exchange-2007-using-csv.aspx Amit Tank | MVP - Exchange | MCITP:EMA MCSA:M | http://ExchangeShare.WordPress.com

Thanks for that, but what command would you use to up date the OU each month to ensure all changes are carried out eg leaver deleted, moves amanded etc...

Hummm... that is quite difficult without some good knowledge of programming/scripting to sync every month. You could use Identity Integration Feature Pack (IIFP) which handles sync efficiently but as you told that you don't have connectivity so it doesn't work.... Easier way I could think is remove all contacts from that OU and recreate all again with new CSV file every month but it may increase network load of Exchange server with Offline Address Book (OAB) differential update download when user comes to office on Monday and opens their Outlook which are configured in cache mode, after you carried out this activity during weekend... BTW, OAB size ratio is around 1MB per 1000 users so in your case 2-3 MB differential update of OAB for 2-3K contacts which is average ok I think, but depends on where your users are located, I mean in local office or they are pulling OAB update from remote office also... Amit Tank | MVP - Exchange | MCITP:EMA MCSA:M | http://ExchangeShare.WordPress.com

Hi.. that link for importing from .csv file links to a great little script for importing contact from the .csv file, so thanks for that, but this shows clearly that they importing them to a OU and creating mailboxes, what we need is just contacts sorry to be a pain but does anyone no what will need changing to get it to create contacts and not mailboxes?Its friday and time to leave this behind until Tuesday brain hurtsAll have a great weekend am sure i will be replying again soon to help get this resolved fully

That script uses tow basic cmdlets New-MailContact and Set-Contact where first cmdlet creates a mail enabled contact and second cmdlet set additional information so script don't create mailboxes.... :)Amit Tank | MVP - Exchange | MCITP:EMA MCSA:M | http://ExchangeShare.WordPress.com

Hi.. thats interesting i will have to take a better look when back in the office and see if i can identify the cmdletsi was just going on the comment he placed into the script which stated mailbox.thanks aging have a nice weekend