how to sync office 365 to active directory

Objects replicated include user and groups and the attributes synchronized are those typically found in Exchange’s Global Address List such as description, phone number, and the like. Windows Azure AD is the cloud back-end that provides identity and access capabilities for Office 365. The Microsoft Directory Synchronization Tool replicates certain objects and attributes from the local AD with Windows Azure Active Directory. Thankfully, the Microsoft Directory Synchronization Tool offers a better way. While user information could manually be duplicated in Office 365, that would get very old, very fast. Activating Microsoft Directory Synchronizationįederation and single sign-on allow Office 365 to trust the authentication of users performed by Active Directory, but user accounts must be synchronized between the systems for everything to work. In today’s article, we’ll complete the trifecta and perform the steps necessary to activate local Active Directory synchronization with Office 365. Both are great features for any organization looking to realize the benefits of mixing on-premise Active Directory with the cloud-based messaging, collaboration, and other features of Office 365.

The first two articles in this series focused on integrating and installing local Active Directory with Office 365 and setting up federation and single sign-on.

How to sync office 365 to active directory