KBA-01-01-023 - Spindle Document Distribution Exchange Patch FAQs

What is the Exchange Online Patch?

The Exchange Online Patch is a separate installation that works alongside your existing Spindle Document Distribution, Spindle Document Distibution Cloud or Spindle Document Management software, hereafter referred to collectively as "Spindle".

The Patch enables Spindle to use the updated email method required for Exchange Online, ensuring continued document distribution following Microsoft’s deprecation of Exchange Web Services (EWS).

For further details, please refer to the related Knowledge Base article.

How do I install the patch?

The patch can be downloaded using this link.

A full installation guide is included with the download and should be followed during setup.

What order should be used when installing Spindle and the Patch?

When installing both Spindle Document Distribution and the Exchange Online Patch please ensure that Spindle is installed first on each client PC, then install the patch.

What happens when I upgrade Spindle in the future?

• Upgrading to version 10.16 or later
  If you upgrade to version 10.16 or higher of:

  • Spindle Document Distribution

  • Spindle Document Management

  • Spindle Document Distribution Cloud

 The updated email method is already included. During the upgrade process, the Exchange Online Patch will be automatically uninstalled. Standard upgrade instructions apply.

• Upgrading to a version earlier than 10.16 (e.g. 8.15 to 10.3)

A repair installation of the Exchange Online Patch will be required on each client PC after the upgrade is completed.

Are there alternative options?

Yes. You may follow the standard upgrade process instead of installing the patch. However, you must upgrade to version 10.16 or later of the relevant Spindle software to ensure compatibility with Exchange Online.

Does installing the patch give me the latest Spindle Document Distribution features and functionality?

No, the patch has been specifically designed to allow Spindle Document Distribution to use Microsoft Graph to send emails using Exchange Online without interruption when EWS is retired.

Who does not need to install the patch?

Any Spindle users that use the below email connectors:

• Exchange On Premise
• SMTP
• Gmail
• Outlook
• Legacy Outlook
• MAPI
• Lotus/IBM/HCL Notes
• David 6/XL (Tobit)

You can confirm which email connector is in use by accessing Spindle Document Distribution Tools on a user's PC and opening the User Settings > Email settings, and observing which default email connector is in use. 

Please note that if Exchange Online is being used as an override email connector method at automation level (Document Automation > Select + next to the automation > Email Settings and check the distribution device selected), the site will need the patch to be applied. An example of this is shown below:

Any sites that do not require the patch should still ensure they meet the minimum supported version of the software to receive support.