This is not exactly what you are asking for, but I agree with Matt and
John (and others) that are pointing out that you do need to actually
split the addresses, one for tickets and one for discussion.  That's a
social problem that you won't be able to solve completely with
technology.  I agree that you should just bite the bullet and split
the old list into two new addresses and let the users make the
transition.

This isn't exactly what you want, but may help in the transition...

We sometimes have to re-organize our ticket queues, which have email
addresses that can be used to create or update tickets.  It's RT, if
that matters.

When we need to re-arrange ticket queues, we set an auto-responder
which does two things for *new* message threads that are sent to the
old queue email address:

1. forwards the email into the new queue, which creates a ticket, and
also sends the requester email with a link to the new ticket in the
new queue. Any email replies to the auto-response will be added as
updates to the new ticket in the new queue.

2. Informs the user of the new email address that they should use in
future, and tells them on what date the obsolete email address will be
decommissioned.  That date is usually at least 90 days in the future.

At 90 days we flip the old address over to a different auto responder
that reminds them that the queue they want has moved with a link to
the top-level ticket queue web page. All decommissioned (but not
removed) inbound email addresses point to the same auto-responder.  At
120 days or so, we actually remove the decommissioned email address.

Of course at about the 80 day mark we start watching to see who is
still getting a response from the auto-responder.  A quick email,
phone call, or sometimes a desk side visit is usually enough to get
them transitioned.  They really appreciate the personal service at
that point.

This has been well received by our users; we've done this numerous
times over the past 8 or so years.

I think that an appropriate auto-responder can really help your users
internalize this change.  In the long run, I think it will be worth it
for you and your user community.

--tep
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