Netline Internet Service today released Open-Xchange Server 5, a platform-agnostic open-source collaboration system.
The software is designed to allow IT administrators to create applications without changing existing infrastructure components. In other words, administrators don’t have to switch databases, directory services, message transfer agents, e-mail or Web servers.
“Companies are looking for a better, more cost-effective way to manage their information,” said Frank Hoberg, chief executive officer, Netline Internet Service. “Open-Xchange 5 combines the advantages of commercial software — support, maintenance and predictability — with the rapid innovation and cost savings found only in the open-source world.”
Open to Alternatives
Mark Levitt, vice president for Collaborative Computing at IDC, told LinuxInsider that IT departments are looking for ways to reduce both solution acquisition and management costs without forcing users to change the way they collaborate. Open-Xchange 5 is one alternative.
“You can deploy open-source products to support a particular need or particular segment of your workforce without having to justify the acquisition costs,” he said. “That makes it easier to deploy them for trial and limited production purposes to evaluate their performance.”
A Safe Bet
Analysts said companies are especially open to alternatives for collaboration software, not only because of the zero acquisition costs but also because of the success of open-source products like Sendmail, which is a widely used Internet gateway for e-mail.
“With the rising interest in Linux there is also a rising level of expertise and comfort with open source,” Levitt said. “That is encouraging people to explore Linux-based solutions in a variety of areas, including collaboration. Netline is allowing you to incorporate other open-source and commercial products into your collaborative platform. That keeps Open-Xchange Server 5 open.”
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