The academic messaging system Roundcube used by the staff of the Aix-Marseille academy has undergone several recent changes that modify connection habits and organization. With the now mandatory OTP VERDON authentication, the centralization of access via the Colibris portal, and the unified IMAP/SMTP settings, which adjustments provide a real benefit in daily life, and which remain anecdotal?
OTP VERDON Authentication and Colibris Portal: What Has Changed Practically
| Element | Before 2026 | Since 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Access URL | Multiple addresses (messagerie.region-academique-paca.fr, appli.ac-aix-marseille.fr) | Single portal: portail-aix-marseille.colibris.education.gouv.fr |
| Authentication | Simple username and password | OTP VERDON mandatory for all active accounts |
| Profiles concerned | Mainly tenured teachers | Teachers, administrative staff, contractors, and temporary staff |
| Redirection of old URLs | Direct access to Roundcube | Automatic redirection to Colibris |
The transition to strong OTP authentication via VERDON is the most significant change. This step is required for all active accounts, including contractors and temporary staff, who were often previously excluded from enhanced security measures.
For users who have retained old shortcuts to historical URLs, the redirection to the Colibris portal works, but it adds a loading step. Updating browser favorites with the address portail-aix-marseille.colibris.education.gouv.fr eliminates this latency.
Effectively organizing your Roundcube academic messaging at Aix-Marseille first requires mastering this authentication layer, as a poorly configured VERDON block prevents any access to the webmail.
Unified IMAP and SMTP Settings for Roundcube Aix-Marseille
The academy has unified its connection settings. Whether using Roundcube via a browser or a third-party email client (Thunderbird, Outlook, mobile app), the servers are the same.
Configuration to Enter in an External Client
- Incoming IMAP server: use the unified academic server with the port dedicated to SSL/TLS encryption. The username is not the beginning of the email address, a nuance that causes most connection failures
- Outgoing SMTP server: same encryption logic, with authentication required. The SMTP password is that of the academic account, not that of any personal account
- Identifier: it differs from the local part of the @ac-aix-marseille.fr address. Check in the account information provided by the academy during VERDON activation
The automatic settings offered by Thunderbird or Outlook often fail because the academic server is not always listed in their databases. Manual configuration remains the reliable method.
Filters and Folders in Roundcube: Settings That Lighten the Inbox
The Roundcube interface offers a server-side filter system (Sieve) often overlooked by users. These filters run directly on the academic server, meaning they work even when the computer is off, unlike rules created in a local client.
Three Sieve Filters to Configure as a Priority
The first filter to create targets recurring institutional messages (rectorate circulars, academic newsletters). Redirecting these messages to a dedicated folder frees the inbox for exchanges that require a quick response.
The second filter concerns automatic notifications from educational platforms (Pronote, ENT). These messages represent a significant volume and generally do not require a response. Isolating them in a sub-folder allows for batch consultation once or twice a day.
The third filter targets spam that bypasses academic protections. Roundcube allows for creating rules based on recurring keywords in the subject or sender, with automatic deletion or movement to the trash.
Effective Folder Structure
A common mistake is to multiply folders by subject, class, and contact. This excessive granularity makes sorting longer than reading the messages themselves. Three to five main folders are sufficient for most uses: urgent/to be processed, awaiting response, archives by school year, institutional.
Roundcube allows for sub-folders, but beyond two levels of depth, navigation on mobile becomes cumbersome. However, the integrated search works across all folders, compensating for a deliberately simplified structure.
Security of the Roundcube Academic Account: Beyond VERDON
Activating VERDON protects initial access, but it does not cover all vectors of compromise. Phishing links specifically targeting @ac-aix-marseille.fr addresses have multiplied in recent years, often in the form of false notifications of exceeded quotas.
- Always check the URL in the address bar before entering your credentials: only the domain colibris.education.gouv.fr is legitimate for authentication
- Never transmit your OTP code by message, even to a colleague or supervisor who requests it by email
- Change the academic password at least once a year, avoiding reusing a password already used on a personal service
Roundcube sessions open on a shared computer (staff room, library) remain active if the logout is not explicit. The logout button is located at the bottom left of the interface, a less visible location that explains why many users simply close the tab without ending the session.
The combination of a single access portal, strong authentication, and well-configured server filters transforms Roundcube from a simple webmail experience into a structured work tool. The most underestimated point of attention remains updating browser favorites: an outdated URL adds several seconds to each connection, an invisible cost that, multiplied by several daily accesses, ultimately weighs on workflow.