3

Short version of the issue

  • We have a 3rd party workflow tool that needs to check e-mail inboxes.
  • The tool only supports checking e-mail with pop3 or IMAP
  • Our network guys don't allow pop3 or IMAP access to our exchange server.

My working solution / Concept

  • Install some kind of pop3/imap mail server software on the web server with the workflow tool.
  • Have the workflow tool import via exchange/MAPI the e-mail for this one mailbox, then serve it up (only to the local machine for security reasons) using Pop3/IMAP so the workflow tool can check the inbox.

Essentially I need a way to "translate" or some kind of adapter to have a pop3 client talk to exchange via MAPI/Exchange protocols.

Do you know of any tool like the one I described above? Is there perhaps a better solution to the problem that I'm missing?

JohnFx
  • 225
  • 2
  • 11

2 Answers2

5

I'd seriously push for fighting the political battle to allow IMAP access to the Exchange system. IMAP and POP can be enabled on a per-account basis. Since this is a workflow item with a defined business application, there's definitely a purpose...

I'd be more suspicious of a the long-term viability of a workaround solution or anything that adds more complexity to the stack.

ewwhite
  • 197,159
  • 92
  • 443
  • 809
  • Thanks. That is a good argument, and I was not aware that you could localize access to POP3 like that. It may still be a battle because I think they are blocking those ports on the firewalls too. I'm in a small group in a huge organization, so it may be a tough fight. I'm with you that a workaround like this is definitely not plan a. – JohnFx Jul 20 '12 at 15:19
  • I typically disable IMAP and POP3, but *do* enable it for my email journaling account and specific users who refuse to use Outlook. So exceptions are *technically* possible. – ewwhite Jul 20 '12 at 15:26
  • Update: I'm losing the battle. Still could use an answer if you have one to the original question. – JohnFx Aug 09 '12 at 00:59
0

Probably too late for you but I am posting an answer for posterity. Check out DavMail - http://davmail.sourceforge.net

This is a cross-platform gateway for Exchange or Office365. In their own words -

"DavMail is a POP/IMAP/SMTP/Caldav/Carddav/LDAP gateway allowing users to use any mail client with Exchange, even from the internet through Outlook Web Access on any platform, tested on MacOSX, Linux and Windows"

aiglenoir
  • 1