Simple method for helpdesk to create mailbox for existing account in O365?

Question

Hey Guys,

We just migrated from Exchange 2010 to O365(hybrid on 2016 Exchange server) and are having a hard time enabling all of our helpdesk users to be able to continue creating mailboxes in the cloud. Their normal process is to copy one of their template accounts with appropriate group memberships, etc. and then add a mailbox to that existing account. It sounds like the only way they can do this(recipient managers) is to run a powershell command(enable-remotemailbox) with the correct modules loaded, etc? That obviously does not really work for a bunch of helpdesk employees.

Does anyone else have anything that is a little smoother process for a helpdesk to be able to create O365 mailboxes for existing AD accounts(that they just created)?

Thanks

Answer 1

There would be no need to give them anything beyond permissions in the "Recipient Management" Role group or create a custom role group.
You could add them to that role group ( Or the may already be in it)

Both new-remotemailbox and enable-remotemailbox are part of recipient management.

There would be no requirement for them to have access to the AADConnect sync or access through the firewall

The remote mailbox commands run on-prem, provisions the mailbox in Office 365 when the AADConnect sync happens automatically every 30 minutes,.

Ensure your process also licenses the mailbox created in Exchange Online for Exchange... :)

Answer 2

Thanks for the response Andy, but do I still need them to run enable-remote mailbox in powershell just to create a mailbox for an existing user? I also have to get the Exchange Tools loaded on all of their computers for that? I can run that command but I am not getting that command when installing the ExchangeOnlineManagement or ActiveDirectory powershell modules on other computers

Answer 3

It sounds like if your helpdesk needs to be able to simply add a O365 mailbox to an existing account they must do it through powershell using enabled-remotemailbox, but to do it through powershell they must have exchange management shell loaded on each of their computers which I cannot do simply by installing or importing a powershell module. This might not be a big concern if you have 3 helpdesk personal and there is not turnover, but when there are constant firewall changes needed for ps remote execution and lots of helpdesk with lots of turnover, that does not sound that good. If anyone has any other ideas on something simple let me know.

Answer 4

Hi @Dave Bryan ,
I agree with what Andy said.
1.It is recommended that you run the following command line after connecting to the Exchange server remotely to create mailboxes for existing users in the on-premises AD.

Enable-RemoteMailbox <> -RemoteRoutingAddress <>  

For more information: How to create an Office 365 mailbox (in hybrid)
Please Note: Since the web site is not hosted by Microsoft, the link may change without notice. Microsoft does not guarantee the accuracy of this information.
2.You could also enable the user mailbox on on-premises Exchange server and then migrate mailbox to Exchange online, but the steps are more complicated.
For more information: Move mailboxes between on-premises and Exchange Online organizations in hybrid deployments

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Answer 5

Hey Andy - Thanks for your feedback. Was trying to find something simpler than having to get all helpdesk user connected to an on-premises exchange server to run enable-remotemailbox through powershell, which I mentioned in my port. Your posts pretty much told me that there is not really anything simpler.