Access Day 2025: Outlook COM Automation Alternatives
Links and resources from my talk today for J Street Technology's in-person Access Day conference at the mothership (aka, Microsoft Headquarters).
Slide Deck
Presentation Recording
As this was an in-person event, no presentation recording is available.
If you find these resources interesting, please consider attending future in-person conferences!
Links Related to Today's Talk
This section includes links referenced in my slide show. These are also embedded in the Slide Deck PDF available for download above.
New Outlook
Killing VBA in Outlook: Reduced Functionality is the Whole Point
In the name of security and cross-platform compatibility, Microsoft is intentionally neutering one of its flagship applications.
Mike Wolfe
Breaking Changes: New Outlook Auto-Migration Begins January 2025
Microsoft announces timeline for breaking your Access applications: automatic migration to New Outlook begins January 2025. Here’s why you shouldn’t rush to rewrite everything (yet).
Mike Wolfe
The Truth About New Outlook: A Guide for IT Decision Makers
With automatic migrations beginning January 2025, protecting your business-critical automations and custom solutions requires immediate attention.
Mike Wolfe
VBA Security Concerns
2019 DBIR Results & Analysis
The Data Breach Investigations Report is an annual analysis of real world security incidents and breaches. In this section of the 2019 DBIR, Verizon Enterprise Solutions gives a high-level analysis of motives, methods and targets behind typical cyber security incidents.
Office to Disable All VBA Code in Files from the Internet
Beginning in April 2022, users will no longer have the option to manually enable VBA code in Office files downloaded from the internet.
Mike Wolfe
Timeline for VBA Macros Blocked by Default in Microsoft Office
Enterprise customers are next in line to have macros blocked by default in Office files from the web. The policy addresses a real problem, but does it actually help?
Mike Wolfe
Support Timeline for Classic Outlook (with COM Automation)
The article below is the official source for the 2029 support guarantee:
Mailgun
Flexible Email Delivery & API Pricing Plans | Mailgun | Mailgun
Choose a plan that fits your needs with our 4 email delivery solution options, bringing emails and verifications together under one API-driven engine.
Mailgun: An Email-Sending Alternative for Access Developers
For VBA developers grappling with the looming specter of “New Outlook” and Microsoft’s general disdain for COM automation, Mailgun offers an intriguing alternative.
Mike Wolfe
Mailgun: Quick Start Guide for VBA Developers
Sample VBA code and step-by-step instructions for sending a simple test email via the Mailgun email service (no credit card needed).
Mike Wolfe
Mailgun: Setting Up a Custom Sending Domain
Set up a custom Mailgun sending domain to replace Outlook COM automation. This guide walks through SPF, DKIM, and MX record setup.
Mike Wolfe
Custom Domain Configuration (Conceptually)
Beyond the Send Button: How Your Emails Actually Reach Their Destination
Before implementing email APIs, Access developers should understand the fundamentals of how email works.
Mike Wolfe
Why Your Emails Get Blocked: Security Protocols and Deliverability Explained
As spam filtering becomes more aggressive, understanding how SPF, DKIM, and DMARC authenticate your messages is crucial for ensuring they reach their intended recipients.
Mike Wolfe
Putting It All Together: Email Authentication Fundamentals for Access Developers
Transitioning from Outlook automation to SMTP services? Learn the fundamentals of SPF, DKIM, and DMARC to keep your Access application’s emails out of spam folders.
Mike Wolfe
Custom Domain Configuration (Practically)
SPF Configuration: What Access Developers Need to Know for Reliable Email Delivery
Moving beyond Outlook automation? Your Access application’s emails will be blocked without proper SPF configuration. Here’s what you need to know.
Mike Wolfe
The Final Pieces: DKIM and DMARC Implementation for Access Developers
Moving from Outlook automation in your Access apps? This guide explains DKIM and DMARC implementation for reliable email delivery.
Mike Wolfe
NLS Mailer
The following are links to the temporary location of documentation for the NLS Mailer add-in which is currently under active development. The final URL is likely to change before the official release:
What is NLS Mailer? - NLS Mailer
API Reference
Account Object - NLS Mailer
Stay tuned for future announcements and release dates regarding this drop-in replacement for the Outlook COM Object Library.
