[SLL] Exchange Alternatives

[Phil Mocek]

On Mon, Oct 29, 2007 at 07:39:10AM -0700, Eric Kahklen wrote:
> We are considering replacing Exchange next year so I am putting
> together a list of collaboration suites and so far I've come up
> with these two affordable options since we are a non-profit[:
> Zimbra and Citadel].

I would be considering those two regardless of their affordability
(in fact, I've done just that for a company who has outgrown plain
'ole IMAP accounts and is ready and willing to pay for Exchange).
Exchange puts you on a path to major vendor lock-in.  (Side note:
want to avoid Sharepoint?  Look into Alfresco.)

I've done a little bit of research and evaluation of Zimbra.  Best
I can tell, it is the first truly viable alternative to Exchange
if you want all of Echange's functionality.  Though I have not
used it thoroughly, from what I have seen, I can't say enough good
things about it.  Group calendaring with Outlook, Mail.app, and
Evolution?  Web UI that is better than many desktop applications'
UIs?  Heavy-duty, trusted applications like Postfix, Spamassassin,
and ClamAV behind the scenes?  Sign me up.

You can get an instant online demo of the Web UI on the Zimbra
site, and hosted Zimbra providers (On Deck Tech, who spun off
their Zimbra hosting to 01.com, is one I liked) will set you up
with a full-featured demo on a test domain.

Note: if you need to support Windows Vista, you'll need to wait
for Zimbra 5, which is due next month (November, 2007).

IIRC, Citadel is an even free-er alternative, but requires some
compromises.

-- 
Phil Mocek