Zimbra Crosses Six Million Paid Mailboxes, Achieves 50% Growth in Three Months
I evaluated Zimbra about a year ago and remember thinking that it was definitely going to be an interesting alternative to Microsoft Exchange. It was a bit rough around the edges, but it would appear that a lot has changed (for the better): Zimbra Wins InfoWorld 2007 Technology of the Year Award
I can’t tell you how happy I am that there is finally a legitimate, open source, commercially supported, alternative to Microsoft Exchange in the marketplace.
If you’ve had it with Microsoft Exchange, or you’re just starting up a new company, then you really should take a long serious look at Zimbra.
The coolest thing about Zimbra is that it works with Microsoft Outlook, but also works really well with Apple Mail and even on Linux desktops. It also runs Mac OS X server, providing an excellent enterprise mail server for Mac shops.
Give me a shout if you’re in the Calgary area and you’re interested in evaluating Zimbra. We’ll set something up.
Good alternative for MS Exchange
I’ve just finished seeing their flash demo. What i can say, FANTASTIC! and really really wanted to try.
too bad I don’t have a linux VM with me. I’ll do it tomorrow!
Open source applications are ok too. But commercial tools are pretty much top-notch when it comes to flexibility and support.
There are plenty of Microsoft exchange alternative tools that say they can get the job done. HyperOffice claim that too, same with Zimbra. But which one is really the best?
I guess trying them all out is the better “alternative”
I would like to use Zimbra to sync my Contacts, my Calendar, my Tasks and my Notes over all my devices.
Could you recommend me Zimbra for this reason? (no emailing and stuff like that)
Or do you think, it’s possible to integrate my Gmail Account somehow?
Zimbra is a mail server. It isn’t a desktop application.
“Zimbra is a mail server. It isn’t a desktop application.”
Exchange lets you do all of what he wants. If Zimbra can’t do it then how is it a legitimate alternative?
Well, the combination of Outlook and Exchange will do what he wants (not Exchange alone or OWA – Outlook Web Access). Outlook in combination with Zimbra would do it. But most people who use Zimbra are likely interested in using either the Web mail interface or using a simple POP3 or IMAP client.
I disagree – most people interested in Zimbra, are so, because it has advertised itself as an exchange equivalent – so therefore it needs to be able to perform similarly, Exchange Active-sync wold be one feature I would be interested in for example
I never said it was an equivalent. I said it was an alternative. There is a big difference.
The fact is, many companies don’t use even 10% of the functionality of Exchange server. For those companies, Zimbra is an awesome alternative. Yes, active sync would be nice, but I can think of at least 5 of my clients who don’t know about or care about active sync. For those clients Zimbra is much less expensive than Exchange and has all the email functionality that they need.
“I would like to use Zimbra to sync my Contacts, my Calendar, my Tasks and my Notes over all my devices.”
to answer nino’s question. HyperOffice allows users to do all of the above. since it is browser based, your information is on the “cloud” and no matter where you access it, it is up to date (mail, calendars, contacts, tasks). HyperOffice has deep Outlook integration and you can synchronise it with your Outlook account. so effectively, your Outlook information is kept in two way synch no matter where you access it.
Oops sorry, and HyperOffice also acts as an email server software and allows you to set up company email.
I didn’t even know Zimbra existed. Going off of your review i’ll definitely have to look into it. I’ve been looking for an alternative to Microsoft Exchange but have been too afraid to swap. Thanks again.
For all of those looking for an alternative to Exchange with Outlook integration, Active sync etc. . .you should take a look at Scalix. Voted 2yrs in a row by InfoWorld as the best open source alternative to Exchange in the world.
http://www.scalix.com
One more name to add: Unison (http://www.unison.com)
It is now free (ad-supported option), and includes a unified communications server and client. As well as the Exchange-type features (email, calendars, contacts), Unison also integrates telephony, instant messaging and presence into a single unified system.
eWeek just recently listed Unison as one of the ’10 top products of 2008′.
I would say Zimbra an alternative to pop and imap for those new start ups who cant afford a proven enterprise solution. I have managed Exchange servers for over 10 years and they are rock solid if managed by an experienced admin. Too many MS gui hacks who dont understand internet messaging give exchange a poor rep. I am open to hear what possible problems anyone has with Exchange. I would also like to hear how Zimbra, or any other solution is better.
oh, let me add for small start ups, MS offers a small business version that cost is less than the comercial version of Zimbra.
MS 25 user SBS $2400, no annual renewa, 5y cost $2400.00
Zimbora 25 user Pro $825 per year x 5year= $4125.00
Zimbra 25 user Std versionh comes in at $3125.00
None of the interesting features (especially activesync/mobile exchange support) are included in the free edition, and the commercial edition is *very* expensive. Also doesn’t run on Windows, so switching cost from Exchange is much higher because of time/effort/additional server hardware (no, virtualisation is not an acceptable solution)
Am currently using DeskNow, but pre-AJAX web interface and lack of support for caldav, activesync and terrible IMAP performance is pissing me off.
yeah Im looking into Zimbra now but the fee’s are way to high. I dont want expensive yearly subscriptions.