Please can we keep the thread focussed on the use of the MAPI protocol and whether it's continued support is required.  This is specifically about Email Management Server Options (sagecrm.com) NOT the Outlook Plugins. 

Please can we keep the thread focussed on the use of the MAPI protocol and whether it's continued support is required.  This is specifically about Email Management Server Options (sagecrm.com) NOT the Outlook Plugins. 

The Email Management Server is not something we routinely implement. In most situations we are able to file emails into CRM by using other methods which are more intuitive for the client.  One situation where we do implement it is where clients are not using Exchange. In this case we create a shared mailbox which can be read by EMS to file emails.  In that situation we generally only have POP3 or IMAP available on the email server so MAPI is irrelevant.

If however you are looking to implement EMS as the primary method of filing emails into CRM then MAPI becomes more relevant.  When connecting to an Exchange server MAPI is the native protocol, not POP3.  In fact many Exchange servers do not have POP3 enabled. It is standard practice to reduce the surface area for attack by enabling the minimum number of protocols required.  

EMS can be useful where automated processing of emails is required. Examples are creating cases and leads from inbound emails.  However CRM ships with only two usable templates, communications and support.  If these templates do not contain the required functionality then they must be modified with JavaScript, and not every Sage CRM consultant has development skills.

As discussed above a previous post states:

"Sage is currently redesigning its Email Management features for Sage CRM 2022 R2 due to be released end of July 2022.  This redesign will remove all dependency on browser plugins."

With a redesign of EMS in what situation is it envisaged that EMS will be implemented?

…OK, but the wider picture is important for context. What options are going to be available around email long term may impact how important the MAPI question becomes. If Email Management becomes the only means of filing emails, then MAPI is more important (otherwise all you’re left with is POP3). 

OK.  To be crystal clear.  The functionality of the Outlook Plugins is irrelevant to this discussion.  The replacement of the Outlook Plugin functionality is irrelevant to this discussion.  If you want to discuss the Outlook Plugins and what will replace them then please discuss that elsewhere under one of the blog articles.  This question is ONLY about whether MAPI is needed for the Email Management Service aka Advanced Email Manager.  

As requested my reply above makes no mention of the Outlook plug-in and simply states

"If however you are looking to implement EMS as the primary method of filing emails into CRM then MAPI becomes more relevant. "

So, as things currently stand the removal of MAPI from the Email Management Server would be an inconvenience.  The majority of situations where EMS is implemented MAPI is irrelevant as we are communicating with an email server other than Exchange. 

However, if the current situation changes and we are implementing EMS more frequently, for example if it becomes the primary method of filing emails into CRM, then MAPI will be critical.  POP3 is not a appropriate way to connect to an Exchange server in many circumstances.