Understanding the Exchange integration
When syncing your Exchange Dynamic Distribution Lists (DDLs) with Workshop, the most important thing to remember is that the Exchange integration doesn’t work in isolation. For it to function properly, it must be paired with a fully populated people directory.
Why is this necessary?
Exchange does not keep records of your users' profiles, so it must rely on your organization’s existing directory structure to determine and match list membership. Without an up-to-date people directory in Workshop, there’s no way for the system to validate or associate DDL memberships correctly. The Exchange integration needs to match the email addresses of a DDL with the corresponding records in Workshop’s people directory to ensure messages reach the right recipients.
What counts as a fully populated people directory?
Your people directory in Workshop can be sourced from various systems, including:
- Azure Active Directory (Azure AD)
- A Human Resources Information System (HRIS)
- A manually uploaded CSV file
Regardless of how your directory is built, the crucial part is that it contains all the necessary employee records so that the Exchange integration can correctly map DDL memberships.
What happens if the people directory isn’t complete?
If your Workshop people directory isn’t fully populated, the Exchange integration may not function as expected. This could lead to:
- Incomplete or missing recipients in your email sends
- Unexpected delivery failures
- Incorrect audience segmentation
How to ensure your Exchange lists are correct
To avoid these issues, regularly review and update your people directory. Make sure it includes:
- All active employees who need to receive communications
- Accurate email addresses and user information
- Properly structured data that aligns with your Exchange DDLs
By keeping your people directory up to date, you ensure that the Exchange integration can seamlessly match list membership and keep your communications running smoothly.