How to determine what email system is being utilized for Oracle Alert processing?

This depends on whether the following patch has been applied: 11i.ATG_PF.H Rollup 4 (RUP4) (Patch 4676589)

If unsure, check the file version of ALRALERT.fmx. Using Alert Manager responsibility, navigate to Alert / Define. From the menu, choose Help / About Oracle Applications. Under the heading Current Form, determine the version of: ALRALERT.fmx. If this version shows 11.5.55 or higher, then patch 4676589 HAS been applied.

If the patch 11i.ATG_PF.H Rollup 4 (RUP4) (4676589), has been applied then all Alert email will be sent through Workflow Mailer. For more information about this Mailer see:

Note 395128.1 Using Oracle Alert with Workflow Mailer

Note 164871.1 Configuring the Workflow Notification Mailer in Oracle Applications Manager 11i

For Oracle Applications that have not applied 11i.ATG_PF.H Rollup 4 (RUP4) (4676589), then this depends on the platform that is running the Application.

For all non-Windows platforms, Alert email will be sent through Unix Sendmail. Using Alert Manager responsibility, navigate to System / Options. The mail system: Unix Sendmail needs to be marked: ‘In Use’. For Windows platforms, Alert email will most likely be sent through MS Exchange Server. Using Alert Manager responsibility, navigate to System / Options. The mail system: Windows NT Mail needs to be marked: ‘In Use’. If another type of email is chosen like Lotus or Groupwise, the Alert email setup will be similar. See:

Note 174381.1 Oracle Alert 11i and Microsoft Exchange Server on Windows NT/2000 Setup Guide