Best way to share contacts in Exchange 2007

Public Folders are still possible with Exchange 2007. With SP1 there is a GUI management tool in EMC --> Toolbox -- Public Folder Managmeent Console

The other option is Sharepoint services, if this is available to you?

Shaun

Exchange Server 2007 supports PF-free configuration, where there is no public folders database in the organization. In this scenario PF distribution mechanism for OAB files is no longer available, so Outlook 2007 supports another way to obtain them, web distribution. As in previous versions, it is a duty of MS Exchange System Attendant service running on Mailbox servers to generate OAB data, but now it also publishes data files to file share \\<MBXSERVER>\ExchangeOAB\ in <oabguid>subfolders (OAB V4 only, older OAB versions are still distributed only via PF). The set of files that belongs to a single OAB looks like this.

http://msexchangeteam.com/archive/2006/10/16/429204.aspx

How to share contacts between Outlook profiles:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/286044

I knew about the PFMC but it looks like permissions still need to be set with the shell.
Sharepoint or other alternatives are not available unfortunately.
What about setting up a mailbox with a shared contacts folder?

That is one option yes. Everyone has access to the shared mailbox. Still have to set permissions, but this can be achieved using the EMC.

Setting permissions is extremely easy, even with the shell. There is a script that will recursively set the permissions for you.

See my article here: http://exchangeshell.wordpress.com/2009/09/06/managing-public-folder-client-access-permissions-exchange-2007-msh-emc-exchange-management-shell

You can do permissions for the public folder through Outlook. That hasn't changed with Exchange 2007. IN fact, I hardly do any management of public folders through the server - everything is done in Outlook.
You have to create the folder in Outlook because that is the only way to create the folder of the Contact type. Once you have created it you are the owner so can set the permissions as required.
The only thing I have to do on the server is mail enable the folders, which of course isn't required for a Contacts folder.

Simon.

Yes, that's true.

If you want to set permissions recursivly on a public folder structure the scripts and shell become pretty useful.

But yes, for a simple contacts folder I guess it can all be done using Outlook if you wish.

Shaun

I did get a contacts folder setup in public folders, and I've put a few test contacts in there, but now I want this contact folder to show up as one of my address books in the compose email window. I'm not sure where this is configured.

Perfect. Thanks.