Scalix Eases Migration to Linux for Email and Calendaring with Major New Release
Jun 14th, 21:27 UTC
Scalix 9.0 introduces enhancements for rich cross-platform interoperability and client support that includes Outlook 2003, Ximian Evolution and a new generation power web client
San Mateo, CA--June 14, 2004--Scalix Corporation today announced Scalix 9.0, the most significant release of its Linux-based email and calendaring platform to date. Scalix 9.0 offers companies a smooth migration path to Linux messaging by giving them rich cross-platform interoperability across all aspects of the messaging environment.
With this release, Scalix aims to solve many of the longstanding challenges faced by companies operating in heterogeneous environments. Scalix has expanded its desktop support with the addition of Outlook 2003, Ximian Evolution and Scalix Web Access -- Scalix's own power web client -- which now supports the Mozilla browser as well as Microsoft Explorer. Cross-platform client support from Scalix allows companies to deploy integrated email and calendaring and scheduling across Windows, Linux, UNIX and Macintosh desktops. Scalix has also introduced a powerful Web Services-based administrative platform and single sign-on capabilities, both of which significantly ease management and integration with a company's existing security and directory infrastructure.
Companies are seeking alternatives that free them from technology and licensing lock-in. At the same time, they are grappling with increasingly complex and costly environments that are difficult to manage and support.
"Our guiding principal in developing Scalix 9.0 was to give customers a reliable and scalable messaging platform that offers maximum choice and flexibility, while reducing cost and complexity," said Julie Farris, Scalix's founder. "For example, calendaring and scheduling is a silent `killer app' that has quietly become a key application in companies today. Yet lack of cross-platform support and integration with different desktop platforms and clients make it difficult to fully exploit this application on a company-wide basis. Scalix 9.0 eliminates these barriers and allows enterprise-wide calendaring and scheduling, an important breakthrough in tapping the potential of this application. The result is an opportunity for companies to take advantage of the benefits of Linux for messaging in a way that coexists successfully in a cross-platform environment."
A recent study conducted by Osterman Research, a leading market research firm focused on messaging-related issues, cites that most enterprises [55%] would seriously consider switching to an alternative messaging system that provided better performance or other advantages if the desktop infrastructure currently in place could be retained. "Scalix has gone to great lengths to ensure that enterprises can migrate to Linux for messaging without disrupting their end users," said Michael Osterman, president and founder of Osterman Research. "Their rich client support options offer customers a great deal of choice and flexibility."
Scalix 9.0 offers major enhancements in four key areas: cross-platform calendaring and scheduling, expanded client support, ecosystem and platform support and a new Web Services-based management platform that offers anytime, anywhere remote administration and secure management of the Scalix environment.
Cross-platform Calendaring and Scheduling
* Cross-platform client support allows companies to deploy enterprise-wide calendaring and scheduling across Windows, Linux, UNIX and Macintosh desktops.
* Unlike many web clients that are limited to rudimentary email functionality, Scalix Web Access now supports advanced messaging functionality, calendaring and scheduling, contact management and public folders. Scalix Web Access offers the performance, look `n feel and usability of a desktop application, combined with the anytime, anywhere convenience of a web browser. Users can access their email and calendar/scheduling data using Internet Explorer or Mozilla browser.
* Scalix Web Access offers complete interoperability with Microsoft Outlook and Ximian Evolution, enabling users to work interchangeably between the two interfaces for a fully synchronized view of their email, calendar and contact data.
Expanded Support for Cross-Platform Email and Calendaring Clients
Scalix 9.0 extends its rich client support to include:
* Microsoft Outlook 2003: With Scalix 9.0, the unmatched Scalix native MAPI support for Microsoft Outlook is now extended to Outlook 2003. Scalix Connect for Microsoft Outlook adds support for Outlook 2003's new features such as the reading layout mode, side-by-side calendars, quick flags and more.
* Ximian Evolution: Users of the popular Linux/open source email and calendaring client can now use Ximian Evolution with Scalix for an end-to-end client/server Linux solution. This addresses a growing need to include Linux desktop users into company-wide calendaring and scheduling environments. Scalix Connect for Ximian Evolution provides full-function access to integrated email, calendar and contact data, with full compatibility with Microsoft Outlook and Scalix Web Access.
* Scalix Web Access for the Mozilla browser: With Scalix 9.0, users of Mozilla browsers can now use Scalix Web Access in exactly the same way Internet Explorer users can today. This means full-function access to email, calendaring and scheduling, contact management and fully synchronous interoperability with Microsoft Outlook.
* These newly supported mail clients are fully interoperable with clients currently supported by Scalix: Outlook XP and 2000, Entourage, Eudora, Mozilla Mail and BlackBerry handheld devices.
Centralized Management of a Distributed Environment
With Scalix 9.0, administrators can remotely manage the entire messaging system through the convenience of a web browser from wherever they are. This includes:
* Centralized management: Based on DHTML, XML and SOAP, the Scalix Management Platform takes advantage of the latest technology to deliver a powerful, easy-to-use administrative console.
* Managing users, distribution lists and permissions can now be done through a simple to use graphical interface that is accessible through a web browser.
* Role-based Administration enables secure delegation of administrative tasks, such as creating users and distribution lists.
Enhanced Ecosystem and Platform Support
* Archiving support: All inbound and outbound messages can now be archived in compliance with archiving regulations such as Sarbanes-Oaxley, HIPAA, SEC Rule 17a-4 and NASD 3015.
* Rich integration with Active Directory: Organizations that have deployed Active Directory as their corporate directory can leverage its user management, account provisioning, authentication and single sign-on capabilities when deploying Scalix, eliminating the expense and overhead of managing corporate and email directories separately.
* Single sign-on for Windows Networks: Users already authenticated at the desktop will have immediate access to Outlook without having to re-enter their username and password, giving administrators a single point of management for passwords and password policies.
* Support for SuSE Linux: In addition to Scalix's long-standing support for Red Hat Enterprise Linux, Scalix 9.0 is now fully certified for SuSE Linux, giving customers a choice of Linux platforms.
Pricing and Availability
Available directly from Scalix Corporation and its global partner network, Scalix 9.0 is priced at $60 per user (U.S.) and includes access to all functionality provided by the Scalix platform. Volume discounts are available. Support for Mozilla Browser, Ximian Evolution and Outlook 2003 will be available later this summer.
(Submitted by Jennifer Henderson of Krause Taylor Associates)
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