Why Promodag Reports Automatically Imports and Updates Directory Information

Overview

Promodag Reports automatically imports and updates directory information from your entire Exchange organization before importing message tracking files. This process is essential for ensuring accurate reporting and data consistency. Below is an explanation of why this step is mandatory, what is imported, and how it ensures reliable reporting.

Why is Directory Information Imported and Updated?

• Recipient Identification:

During the directory import process, Promodag Reports creates recipient entries in its database using two key identifiers:

o    Legacy Exchange Address (e.g., /O=Org Name/OU=Admin Group/CN=Recipients/CN=Mailbox_A)—recorded when a message is sent.
o    Primary SMTP Address (e.g., mailboxa@domain.com)—recorded when a message is received.

• Ensures Data Integrity:

Promodag Reports compares addresses found in message tracking files with those in the directory. If directory information is not kept up-to-date, changes in SMTP addresses (e.g., mailboxa@olddomain.com to mailboxa@newdomain.org) would cause the software to create duplicate recipients, leading to inaccurate traffic reports.

• Prevents Data Duplication:

Without automatic updates, received messages could be attributed to duplicate mailbox entries rather than the actual mailbox. This would compromise the accuracy of reports.

• Mandatory and Automatic by Design:

Because of the importance of accurate recipient mapping, the directory update is a required and automatic step each time message tracking files are imported.

Why Import the Entire Exchange Organization?

• Complete Organizational Mapping:

Promodag Reports imports the entire organization—servers, DAGs, databases, OUs, recipients (mailboxes, public folders, distribution groups, mail contacts)—to ensure all objects are known to the system.

• Correct Group Resolution:

Full directory information is needed to resolve distribution groups, especially if they include members from across the organization (including dynamic and nested groups).

• Attribute Import for Reporting:

Various Active Directory attributes are also imported to populate report templates (such as those in the Templates > Organization Overview menu).

How Directory Updates Work

• Initial and Ongoing Imports:

o    A complete import is performed immediately after database creation.
o    By default, an automatic directory update occurs each time message tracking files are imported.
o    You can also manually trigger a full re-import using the File > Import Directory Data option.