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sql server linking to exchange personal calender files

Hello,

I want to link to some outlook calenders (that have shares set up) to sql server, so i can get meetings and who is going to them into tabular form into a database, i'm happy enough with xp_send read mail and T_SQL but is there a way of getting a certain user's( a PA) meetings and the invitees into sql server.

I have admin access to a sql server box with smtp mail server set up and can link to the exchange server via Access 2000, but

I will up the points for a good technical answer but i anticipate the answer will involve buying propietry software or a link to a kb article.

Thanks

Mark

nmcdermaid

Using the OLE DB provider for Outlook, you should be able to connect and run queries using OPENROWSET (and similar functions like OPENQUERY)

You can try something like this (a T-SQL statement - run it in Query Analyzer to test)

SELECT * FROM
OPENROWSET(
'MSUSP.10',
'Data Source=NameOfYourOutlookServer')

This is just an example, it won't work just yet but it gives you the idea.

You will still need to specify login details. possibly you will need to set a mail user who has access to all appointments.

Unfortunately I don't have a test outlook server or SQL server to play with!

Let me know if this piques your interest and I will have a more thorough look.

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nmcdermaid

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arbert

These were some pretty interesting examples too (this is more client side though):

http://www.databasejournal.com/features/mssql/article.php/1441931

arbert

Have you thought about setting up a public calendar?

nmcdermaid

Defintely, there is no point getting SQL Server involved if you can do it natively in Outlook.

markofsoton

ASKER

there is no outlook or mapi services set up on the box i am trying to set one up i know my exchange server name but i get prompted for domain, i've tried AD and all the Host name bits dns names and ip's i can muster but none of them is playing. nmcdermaid's second string got me this far but i am stuck is there a dos command to determine your 'domain' i am as you can see confused

nmcdermaid

I guess it is asking for the domain that the Outlook exchange server is on.

At this point, as Windows Help is fond of saying you may need to 'Ask your network administrator' (but I am the network administrator!!! aaaarrrrgh!)

I'm not 100% sure how to find that out. I can only suggest that you go log on to the Exchange server, check the list of domains in the logon drop down and if there are any in the list besides the actual name of the exchange server, use that.

The other option is to 'push' the data. Make a VBScript which runs on your exchange server which pushes data to your SQL server.

arbert

I had tried this product a while back--really interesting product that allows Outlook to store directly in SQL Server or MSDE--might be worth a download and a trial:

http://www.tabtag.com/home/tabtag.aspx