Novell opens the enterprise for cross-platform collaboration

Novell has announced open beta availability of the latest version of its collaboration platform, Novell GroupWise 7. GroupWise 7 features advances for end-users such as integrated e-mail and instant messaging, enhanced Outlook support and a pre-bundled SUSE Linux Enterprise Server.

GroupWise runs on multiple operating system platforms enabling customers to reduce costs and increase productivity using GroupWise 7 to govern and protect their mission-critical collaboration functions.

"Novell`s commitment to supporting GroupWise through 2015 is a strong signal to customers. GroupWise can be counted on today and into the foreseeable future," said Mark Levitt, vice-president for Collaborative Computing at IDC. "GroupWise`s availability on Linux, in addition to other platforms, offers customers a real choice for firms looking beyond Windows."

GroupWise 7 lets end-users adapt the client to how they work in order to optimise their productivity and efficiency. Enhancements include integration between e-mail and instant messaging so users can see in an e-mail whether the sender is currently online, allowing them to move to IM to immediately resolve long e-mail conversations. In addition, a new "home" view summarises a user`s most pertinent information at a glance, multiple calendars for a single user make it easier to manage multiple projects, and a quick navigation bar helps end users jump to the places they use most through a simple, one-click interface.

Xehad = Advantages of GroupWise 7

Novell GroupWise enables people in an organisation to relate, coordinate and communicate to keep business moving forward. Designed to eliminate instabilities typical of many communications and collaboration solutions, Novell GroupWise provides end-users with secure and reliable e-mail, calendaring, instant messaging, task management, document management and data storage functions.

GroupWise 7 will include Novell`s SUSE Linux Enterprise Server, pre-bundled at no extra cost to customers. The inclusion of SUSE Linux Enterprise Server allows GroupWise customers to begin embracing the leading open source server platform. On the client side, GroupWise supports Windows, Linux, Macintosh, Web browser use and mobile devices.

GroupWise 7 also enables cradle-based synchronisation of PocketPC and Palm OS-based personal digital assistants and has made it easier for developers to build and integrate custom applications by allowing secure access to server functions through Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP), a standard Web services-oriented interface.

Novell has also announced details of an Exchange-to-GroupWise competitive upgrade promotion. For a limited time, customers migrating to GroupWise from Microsoft Exchange or Lotus Notes can purchase a single GroupWise user licence for $49, including two years of upgrade protection, a saving of more than 70% off the current price for GroupWise 6.5.

Novell`s free GroupWise Migration Utility is available to easily move mail, calendar, task and other items directly from Exchange and Outlook into GroupWise. In addition, Novell partners are offering discounts on products complementary to GroupWise, ranging from training to anti-spam to migration utilities.

"GroupWise 7 provides a great experience for the end-user on the desktop or PDA while IT staff and executives can have confidence in the back-end investment," said David Patrick, vice-president and general manager of Linux, Open Source Platforms and Services for Novell. "Our multiplatform approach gives customers choice and freedom, without them having to worry about whether their collaboration system is up and ready for them."

Open beta versions of Novell GroupWise 7 are now available for free download, and customers can pre-order GroupWise 7 beginning 7 July. Pricing will be announced at general product availability. For more information about GroupWise or the competitive upgrade promotion, or to obtain the beta software or pre-order GroupWise 7, visit www.novell.com/groupwise.