IMAP/POP Service with API - api

I work with a web design company and we're looking to streamline the provision and changes of email hosting we organise for our customers.
We'd like to use an API where we can create a postoffice (users#domain) and add/edit/delete users with forwarding/aliases etc. etc.
Anyone come across a hosting company that provides IMAP/POP services with a fully featured API?

I suspect this is going to be heavily dependent on what email service you're using. For example, Google Apps offers email management as part of their Admin SDK API: https://developers.google.com/admin-sdk/email-settings/
If you're looking for a full-fledged email service, Google Apps may do it. However, it's a bit spendy: http://www.google.com/enterprise/apps/business/pricing.html
Other alternatives you might check out is Fusemail: https://www.fusemail.com/support/api-documentation/requests
If you're self-hosting and don't mind cPanel, they have an API as well:
http://docs.cpanel.net/twiki/bin/view/ApiDocs/Api2/ApiEmail#Email::addforward

Related

Should I use UCWA or UCMA or another API for a Skype for Business Server Application?

There seems to be a lot of different SDKs / APIs around Skype for Business. I'm having a tough time deciphering which one would be appropriate for a server side Bot like application that could communicate domain specific information to the users within the organization. For example we'd like to be able to deliver task(s) via messages and perform presence based task assignment. This seems to be fairly low hanging fruit but where's the REST endpoints and documentation to make this happen. Assuming for example I wanted to create a little console application that could facilitate this what API would you recommend?
Here are the main differences between UCMA and UCWA:
UCMA is a .NET SDK that provides rich control over a Skype for Business server deployment. It enables applications to automatically route calls and messages, provide automatic responses (IVR or chat bots), record conversations etc. It can be used in a number of scenarios such as a 'contact center' application that distributes incoming calls to an available agent with the right skillset. UCMA applications are managed by running them on application servers that are activated as part of the Skype for Business server deployment. As such, UCMA is not available for Skype for Business Online (Office 365).
UCWA is a RESTful Web API that acts on behalf of a single Skype for Business user. It enables applications to send and receive messages for that user, read presence for their contacts, etc. Typically it is used for interactive "line of business" applications that want to embed Skype for Business messaging/presence. It is also possible to create a 'technical account', that doesn't correspond to a real person, and use UCWA in 'headless' server applications but this approach currently has authentication and scalability limitations. UCWA applications have no deployment constraints since UCWA is a regular RESTful Web API. It is available for both Skype for Business Server (get started) and for Skype for Business Online (get started). The latter has slightly fewer capabilities right now: - for example, messages can be sent but not received - though this should change soon.
I think both UCMA and UCWA can be used. However, considering you want a server application, UCWA seems fit the case. Here is the detail of SDK, you can find code samples at there:
https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/office/mt650889(v=office.16).aspx

Azure WebApi vs Azure Mobile Service vs

I've programmed a lot in asp.net mvc web applications. Now I want to write cross-platform mobile applications with cordova for the frontend and azure for the backend.
I am in doubt whether to use azure mobile services or WebAPI, because I want the power and freedom of WebAPI, but the convenience of azure mobile services. I do not understand concepts such as authentication, push notifications, etc.
My main goal is to focus on the application logic, frontend and backend with a significant weight of that logic in the backend. For this I have great doubts.
1st. I see both good mechanisms in AMS and WebAPI for external authentication, but not to manage your own authentication. What is the best way to manage your own authentication? Is Azure Active Directory solution?
2nd My intention is to create a well-defined API methods that return the exact data (json), rather than a rest api queryable (odata).
Wich is te best for this, WebAPI or AMS?
3rd I have experience with SQL Server, its relationships and Entity framework, but I do not care to learn and use NoSQL technologies, which is better? (However, I'm not comfortable with I can not use many to many relationships in NoSql).
Thank you very much.
there is not a real general answer for that, so take these as advices.
At first, keep in mind that AMS and WebApi are not so far. An AMS project IS a WebApi project with some helpers inside to make you comfortable working with related services (push notification, table entities), but you will lose a bit of control on your application.
The choice depends on your needs
Azure Active Directory IS a solution, but there are a lot more. You can use your preferred framework. AMS has got a pretty integrated login with most known social network and azure active directory as well, and is very easy to set up.
I'd suggest AMS. It will be easier to setup and mantain.
AMS is just WebApi castrated. To get all these services easier for you, you cannot for example
Customize startup of your application
Use a dependency injection framework
Run background tasks
And other stuff like that.
Hope it helps!

Zend - Creating an PHP API for a mobile application

I'm currently planning the creation of a mobile application for ios and android.
The application will permit to the end-user to manage and see the progress of its projects. (Web creation company).
The application will have:
Project management (multiple)
View progress
View tasks
View hours
View files
View messages
Login/Logout form + Profile/Edit Profile section
Send/Reply Messages
Add comment on tasks and files
The question is: What is the best way to create an API (Restful or something else) using the Zend Framework?
This API must and will be integrated to a custom-made Projects Management System and a MySQL DB.
I just working on PHP API (no matter if API is for mobile platforms or another webs) and after realizing between SOAP and REST I chose a RESTful API and I can recommend it...
Zend Framework has components for both of mentioned approaches, but REST is easier and more understandable in comp. with SOAP...
The one thing what you have to think about is logging, you can use HTTP Auth or OAuth (HTTP autentification is easier), but better approach according to me is generate unique API KEY for your users (each user should have own KEY) and this KEY ensure you can recognize user and a security risk is minimal because user do not have to send login and password inside HTTP request (security risk) and in case of KEY is catched on WIFI or infrastructure, hacker do not get user logins to web application, only for API where propably will not be all features what main web app offer.
And if you set some time expiration for you KEYs or IP restriction for KEY, than you can make it more safe:)
Some tip for the end: Implement API as new separated ZF module.
One of the best stuffs I have noticed so far is http://getfrapi.com/
It makes use of everything from Zend to Pear. May be you should checkout the video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vJVQi7ZFSaQ

Is there a self-hosted single sign-on solution with completely RESTful API?

Is there a single sign-on solution with completely RESTful API installable on my server? I have looked at OpenAM, which have some of the API available through HTTP/JSON, but not all (and seems too heavy, but if it had all the API, I'd not care).
Do you know of solution for authorization, authentication and identity management that can be used for single sign-on and has all (maybe without setting admin password and such critical issues) its API available though HTTP(S)/JSON?
I have no need for Java API etc., HTTP(S)+CLI for setup is only thing I look for. That is, I doin;t realkly care what the solution is implemented in (no need for Java EE etc.) as far as it does its job and it is secure.
Have you seen Mozilla's new Persona solution built on BrowserID? It does a lot, but it's hard to know if it's sufficient for you without more details about how integrated you need the authorization to be.
You might want to look at Stormpath. They're the largest identify management service (for developers) -- and they are all REST + JSON API backed.

Is there any open source topic-based subscriber/publish web service for SMS and email notifications?

I have the following requirement for my rails application.
My users will subscribe for updates by choosing different categories and their preferences of receiving the updates (SMS or Email). They receive the updates according to their preferences when ever a update is posted on a particular category.
I am planning to implement a web service with the above functionality. The web service will
Expose an API to subscribe users for different categories.
Expose an API to post updates to a particular category.
Send out email or sms or both for all the subscribers to that particular category according to their preferences.
Is there any open source project or rails gem with the similar functionality or is it better to build my own web service. My application is in Rails3, but I can take the web service in any platform.
Thanks Guys.
Since no body is cared to answer my query, lemme answer it.
I realized building a web service for such functionality is an overkill and there are no opensource projects running on the similar line. So i have decided to include the logic in my rails app rather than building it as a separate service.