[TriLUG] Email & Calendering for Linux & Windows Question..

[Brandon L. Newport]

I have used OpenGroupware and it works great.  You can use the exchange
connector to get calendaring working.  However the Outlook connector
(ZineStor) costs roughly $55 per client (less in quantity).  I also
HIGHLY recommend CommuniGate by Stalker.  I have installed it in the
past and for clients that dont want FREE solutions, I personally think
it is the best bet.

I built a spreadsheet comparing migration efforts for several of these
mail servers you have listed below.  If you would like I can forward it
to you.  If anyone else would like it, just send me an mail off list.
All that I ask is that if you make changes (like adding new products)
please send it to me.

Honestly, for most business I would recommend a web based
email/calendaring/groupware package.  Get people away from a particular
client.  It is amazing how much added support email clients can be.  If
you make it all web based and they migrate to it...that is one less app
or in this case several less apps you have to worry about.



-brandon


On Wed, 2005-01-05 at 13:10 -0500, David A. Cafaro wrote:
> I've got a question concerning finding a solution for Email and
> Calendering for a mixed environment of Linux and Windows machines.
> 
> What I'm trying to find is a solution that provides Email (SSL Imap or
> similar) to both Evolution and Outlook as a minimum (Mozilla and other
> clients are a plus but not required) as well as Individual and Group
> calendering for Evolution and Outlook (this is another important
> feature).  A big bonus would be an optional web interface to these
> resources, but not at the expense of the desktop clients.  There is also
> a need to have everything authenticate of AD, but that can be done via
> samba and what ever server is hosting the solution (hopefully).
> 
> My company won't mind spending some cash on this, and expect to do so
> anyways.  Sadly the default keeps heading towards running MS Exchange
> since it of course has great support for Outlook and the use the the
> Ximian connector gets Evolution on board.  I personally don't like the
> idea of having MS Exchange as our goto for Email, specially as our
> company grows and OpenSource software becomes more and more important to
> our daily business (which it is..).
> 
> Here are a few things we have at least partially looked at:
> 
> MS Exchange: Reasonable support for Evolution (for now) and Outlook. 
> Expensive licensing.  How will it scale, and what does MS have planned
> for us?  Scalability in the future?  Standards, what standards...
> 
> Scalix: Support for Outlook and webmail, Evolution connector still in
> the works for calendering (imap for email available).  Can run on
> Linux.  Some cost factor in it.  Possible Candidate (Evolution users may
> just have to wait for the connector to be released).
> 
> GroupWise:  Support for Outlook (mail only) and Evolution (though not
> clear on shared schedules in Evolution).  Can run on Linux.  User
> licenses add up (looking at 50 users now, more in the years to come). 
> Authentication off of AD may be difficult.  Strict system requirements
> (software wise).
> 
> OpenXchange:  Very limited support for Outlook Calendar contacts, etc. 
> Immature software at this point for production use.
> 
> OpenGroupware: Not very familiar with them.  Outlooks support via an a
> charged for connector, Evolution support limited and beta.  Not a likely
> candidate.
> 
> 
> Has anyone used any of these in production use and have any opinions,
> warnings on them?  Are there other solutions I need to have a look at? 
> Thanks for any info, I'm still researching, but I value the opinions of
> those on this list.  Thanks.
> 
> -David
> 
> -- 
> David A. Cafaro
> dac(at)cafaro.net
> Admin to User: "You did what!?!?!"
>