Scalix is now available in SA from Linux Warehouse. Scalix Collaboration Platform is a Linux-based workgroup and collaboration server that can be used as a drop-in replacement for Microsoft's Exchange server.
Says Robin Edser, MD of the Linux Warehouse: "Scalix recently began releasing the source code for its Collaboration Platform, which sparked our interest in the product. Linux Warehouse only distributes products that are either fully open source, or at least have some open source component. We were eager to start stocking the Scalix product as soon as the source code was released."
Edser explains the Scalix product does everything that Exchange can, but at a reduced cost.
"Many applications claim to be replacements for others," he says, "but they lack functionality and seldom live up to that statement. Scalix Collaboration Platform, on the other hand, is a true replacement for Exchange."
He says Scalix Collaboration Platform replaces the server, while the desktops in the network continue to use Outlook, or whatever other groupware client they already have in use. The seamless change in the backend is unnoticeable to end-users.
"The big attraction with Scalix is the cost savings component," explains Edser. "With Scalix Collaboration Platform, it is possible to get savings of one- to two-thirds the cost of Exchange in terms of licences and subscriptions. In the Scalix product, standard users are free and an unlimited number can be configured. The customer only pays for premium user licences, for users who need full groupware functionality, making Scalix highly scalable and affordable."
Enterprise-friendly
He says Scalix Collaboration Platform is designed for enterprise customers and, as such, offers excellent support and is certified to run on enterprise-level Linux distributions, such as Red Hat Enterprise Linux.
"Scalix Collaboration Platform is also very friendly to administrators," continues Edser. "The entire server can be controlled and configured via a Web interface and generally the Scalix/RHEL configuration is more user-friendly, secure and cost-effective than Exchange without sacrificing management function."
"I believe that Scalix has much to offer the South African market," says Jim Docherty, Scalix VP sales, EMEA region. "With our new partnership with Linux Warehouse, Scalix looks forward to acquiring additional customers in SA."
Scalix is available from Linux Warehouse and its partners. Local training partnership agreements are also being discussed to offer Scalix certifications in SA as soon as possible.
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