How To: Set up your own email sender address for sending event communications

Using our email SMTP server

If your organisation does not have its own email server, or if it is not connected to Oniva, emails are sent via Swisscom's Internet Mail Relay. This ensures secure and reliable delivery of emails and SMS.

What is an SMTP server?

An SMTP server is a server that enables the sending, forwarding, and receiving of emails based on the Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP).

What is an Internet Mail Relay?

An Internet Mail Relay forwards emails between different mail servers for reasons such as security or network policies.

Benefits of the Swisscom Mail Relay

• High security and data retention in Switzerland: All data is securely stored and processed in a Swiss data center.
• Reliable infrastructure: Operated and maintained by Swisscom in Switzerland.
• Support for SSL and TLS: Encrypts the connection between email clients and servers as well as between mail servers themselves to ensure security.

Activating your own email sender address in Oniva

With Oniva, you can send event invitations or booking confirmations from your own email sender address. Follow these steps to activate it:

1. Specify your email sender address: Send the desired email sender address to support@oniva.events.
2. Add an SPF record: Add the SPF record include:spf.appmail.swisscom.com to your DNS record. Your IT person responsible for DNS entries can assist you with this.
3. Activate the address with the approval link: Click on the approval link in the email sent to your specified email sender address.

Once the approval link is activated, you can send emails from your own email sender address via Oniva.

What is an SPF Record?

An SPF record is a DNS entry that prevents email spoofing by specifying authorized mail servers for your domain.

Security when using your own email sender address

DSending via your own email sender address is secure and protected by SPF records to ensure authenticity and deliverability.

Options to increase security for email sending

• Restrict outgoing IP range: Prevents unauthorized access.
• Set up DKIM and DMARC: Adds digital signatures and enhances authentication.

Alternative options if an SPF record cannot be added

In some organizations, adding an SPF record for the domain is not possible for security or time reasons. To still be able to send your event communications, consider the following alternatives:

• Using the Oniva no-reply address: You can send emails anytime using the Oniva No-Reply address. Set up your desired sender name and an individual reply address in the settings of your event or workspace.
• Using a subdomain: Using an event-specific subdomain usually makes it easier to add an SPF record. For example, a subdomain could be defined as follows: invitation@eventname-organization.com.

For more details, feel free to contact us at support@oniva.events.

Integrating your own email SMTP server

Conditions

• The SMTP server must be publicly accessible.
• The integration is exclusively for sending emails.

How do I integrate my own SMTP server?

For the configuration, you will need:

• SMTP Host: Address of your SMTP server.
• Port: Port number for the connection (e.g., 587 for STARTTLS).
• Username and password: Authentication information.

Advantages

• More control over email sending: Customizations according to specific requirements.
• Unlimited email sender addresses: Unlimited flexibility in communication.

This integration provides a tailored solution for customers with their own server, enabling them to optimally configure and control their email sending infrastructure.