![]() Zimbra is available in several product editions, ranging from a basic open-source version that does not include support for syncing data with either desktop or mobile tools to an extremely well-provisioned professional edition. ![]() Like Kerio MailServer, Zimbra can be installed on a number of platforms and supports a range of clients. Zimbra Collaboration Suite is another full-featured e-mail and groupware product. Since the licensing is primarily user-based, there are no additional fees for mobile device or iPhone support. Licensing is cheaper than for Exchange and includes a variety of options, such as bundled antivirus software. Kerio's site includes detailed instructions for using the iPhone as a client device, and the company provides a wide range of configuration information and explains how to move from other mail and groupware products. And it supports an internal account database. It also supports integration with Active Directory or Apple's Open Directory, as well as Pluggable Authentication Module access for Linux, allowing simplified user and e-mail account management. Using a sophisticated Web interface, Kerio allows LDAP access to its central contacts database by any contact or e-mail app that supports LDAP lookup, as well as calendar access from any CalDAV client, including Apple's iCal.Īs a server, Kerio MailServer can be installed on a number of platforms, including Windows, Mac OS X and Linux. One of its big advantages is that, in addition to ActiveSync and native access from both Outlook and ActiveSync mobile devices, Kerio fully supports access through other client protocols without the need for add-on components - although not all features are available to all client products. Kerio MailServer is a commercial groupware product that offers features similar to Exchange's, including mail, centralized contacts, calendar, notes, tasks and public folders. In fact, several other mail and groupware server products, both commercial and open source, are available that implement ActiveSync and allow mobile clients - including the iPhone and desktop applications such as Outlook - to access the same push and over-the-air features available from Exchange. ![]() Although the iPhone's documentation names Exchange specifically, Apple actually licensed and implemented Microsoft's ActiveSync protocol, which was developed for Exchange. It also prevents iPhone user access to a shared central contacts database, such as Exchange's Global Address List, through the Contacts app.īut there are other options. Though that will work, it eliminates the option of receiving instant notification of e-mails, and calendar and contact updates. The generally accepted option is to use POP/IMAP e-mail accounts on the iPhone and rely on iTunes to sync contact and calendar data - from Outlook on Windows, or Address Book and iCal on the Mac - to the iPhone. That can be a problem for companies that are looking to roll out the iPhone but are unwilling or unable to rely on Exchange as well. Its very tight integration with Active Directory, a plus in many situations, can also be a downside for environments based on other platforms such as Novell, Unix and - ironically - Mac OS X Server and Apple's own Open Directory. Exchange licensing can become prohibitively expensive, particularly for small organizations, and successfully deploying and managing Exchange can be a challenge, given the broad array of features and options it offers. Despite its widespread use and potentially broad feature set, Exchange isn't always the optimal choice for every organization, however. But neither of these would be considered viable options for most businesses.Įxchange may be the most common e-mail and collaborative tools package on the market, making it a logical choice for Apple to choose for enterprise support. Sure, push notification and update is supported by Apple's MobileMe - and push e-mail notification is supported for Yahoo Mail accounts. Though the iPhone supports all common e-mail protocols, Exchange is the only business-oriented option for offering push notification of new messages as well as over-the-air updates to calendar and contact items. ArcTitan includes full email audit functionality, guaranteeing that emails have not been altered.In Part 2 of my series on rolling out the iPhone as a business device, I talked about integration in an Exchange environment. Centerprise Email Archiving solution by TitanHQ (ArcTitan) archives email securely allowing for lightening fast search and retrieval.
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