How to sync Axigen contacts in Outlook without Outlook connector via CardDAV?
Among free mail server and paid server ware, if you are in IT industry for some time, you have probably heard of Axigen Mail Server. Its powerful features and scalability are proven to provide a decent alternative to Microsoft Exchange Server.
On the other day, when I saw EVO Collaborator for Outlook was released and it supports synchronization with Axigen Mail Server's contacts or address book, I decided to try it out.
How to sync Axigen Mail Server contacts with Outlook using CardDAV protocol?
Once I got my trial installation of Axigen Mail Server done, all I did was opening my Outlook 2016 and manually entering contact URL in the following syntax:
https://<servername>/Contacts/
Then, I enter my full e-mail address and password. The next thing is clicking on TEST button, Apply button and Quit button.
As a result, the synchronization went successfully:
However, I notice that domain and public contacts are not yet to be synchronized through CardDAV.
I googled a little bit and found requests of implementing CalDAV and CardDAV support were brought up years back:
https://www.axigen.com/forum/forum/support-discussion-lists/feature-requests/3792-caldav-support
On Axigen's Google+ page, support for CardDAV was mentioned and made available back in Q2 2015.
https://plus.google.com/communities/102973968071431941505
Then, I found a good news on Axigen's Product Community update that CalDAV may be available in Q4 2016:
https://axigen.uservoice.com/forums/294255-general/suggestions/13322535-caldav-support
Many thanks to Axigen's R&D staffs on their effort making things possible. This is really awesome that users from Outlook 2019, 2016, 2010, 2013 and 2007 will benefit from it!
Sync Outlook with MailEnable Server
MailEnable Server is a popular messaging solution for mid and small business companies. One of its useful collaboration features is sharing contacts, calendars and tasks for collaboration purposes.
A decent Exchange alternative
To be an Exchange alternative other than free mail server, MailEnable provides its own Outlook Connector that enables Outlook users to access their information on MailEnable Server. Somehow, there has been user feedback saying it is running slowly and is buggy.
Exploring Mysterious CardDAV and CalDAV URLs
However, when we want to access CardDAV and CalDAV data on MailEnable Server from third-party software, such as Thunderbird, we need to know URLs of contact, calendar and task. But how? It is easy! Use an iOS device to add a CalDAV or CardDAV service; you can find the the real URL in Advance Settings.
In finding a CalDAV and CardDAV solution that really works in Outlook
Here, I found EVO Collaborator for Outlook handy and it works on CardDAV and CalDAV
URLs auto discovery. Here is how:
- Download and install EVO Collaborator for Outlook from its official website
- Open Outlook and go to Configure profiles
- Enter your MailEnable Server IP like this:
https://<Server_IP>:port
- Enter username and password. Then click on TEST
- CardDAV URL and CalDAV URLs will appear, shown as below:
Detecting multiple folders and choose among them
In ECO’s Configure profiles, right next to the URLs, we click on the folder icons to choose between Personal or Public folder. If you select public folder, then public URLs will show..
If you do use Outlook 2007, 2010, ,2013, 2016 or 2019, then you can continue with ECO. If you need to access MailEnable server from Thunderbird, you can copy and paste the above URLs within SoGO connector and Lightning plug-ins for Thunderbird.
