|
Alias |
Group |
Mailbox |
Shared Mailbox |
| Delivery method |
Assigned to an existing mailbox, emails come into that mailbox the same as emails sent to the primary email address for that mailbox. |
A copy is sent to each member of the group; they must communicate manually to determine who is dealing with it. |
Email is delivered into a shared-access mailbox’s inbox; folders can be setup for each person accessing to drag emails into when they are dealing with it. |
The same as Mailbox |
| Reply ‘on behalf of’ the shared email address? |
No |
Using Outlook, yes |
Using Outlook, yes |
Using Outlook, yes |
| Reply ‘from’ the shared email address? |
Using Outlook, yes |
Using Outlook, yes |
Using Outlook, yes |
Using Outlook, yes |
| Delivery to / Access by how many people? |
1 |
Unlimited |
Unlimited |
Unlimited |
| Delivery to external contacts? |
Not possible |
Yes |
No |
No |
| Share the Calendar? |
Can only share the existing mailbox’s calendar |
No, groups do not have calendars |
Yes |
Yes |
| Individual ‘read’ / ‘unread’ status? |
NA – only 1 user receiving the emails |
Yes |
No – status is shared between all users who access it |
No – status is shared between all users who access it |
| Appopriate for mobile access (iphone / Blackberry)? |
Yes (cannot reply from) |
Yes (cannot reply from) |
Yes but not ideal |
No |
| Appropriate for Outlook Web Access? |
Yes (cannot reply from) |
Yes (cannot reply from) |
Yes but not ideal |
Yes but not ideal |
| Can set Out of Office |
Yes but it comes ‘from’ the main email address of the account |
No |
Yes, using Outlook or OWA (login as the mailbox) |
Yes but not through OWA |
