Reporting on Distribution List Usage

[sneeland]

We're trying to tackle a project to reduce the number of email distribution lists that are in the GAL. I have been able to determine lists with no members and list owners have been contacted to see if any of their lists are no longer needed.

Is there a way to log usage of a distribution list for the purpose of generating some usage reports? If we knew lists that were being used, we could address those that aren't being used.

How have others attacked this issue?

Thanks!
Steve

 

[MarkArnold]

Exchange doesn't track this and I don't think there's a native way to get this out of Active Directory unless you've already got the 3rd party stuff (Quest has this as part of their suite of products) installed.

Hide them all from the GAL and see who shouts!

 

[sneeland]

Well, I found a 'solution'. I created a new userid/mailbox called something like #DistListMonitor. I added that userid/mailbox to EVERY distribution list in our GAL. I added the mailbox to my Outlook and changed the Inbox view so it groups by the "To:" field. I'm updating a spreadsheet with those that are used, so after whatever monitoring period we decide to use will show those used and those not used.

Just a little too manual for me, but I was told they didn't care (too much) how I did it, just to do it. Uugh!!!

Thanks!