According to Loura DiDio, Yankee analyst and author of the 2007 Global Server Hardware and Server OS Survey, 23% of survey respondents intend to migrate away from Exchange Server and adopt an alternative Linux or open source e-mail and messaging distribution platform in the next 12 to 18 months.
This is further evidence of a growing international trend that is starting to take root in Africa and southern Africa, says Yossi Hasson, Managing Director at Synaq, a national provider of managed Linux and open source services.
"It is an exciting development that businesses cannot afford to overlook," says Hasson.
To this end, Synaq will be hosting a breakfast product and information session on 29 June at the Hilton Sandton, to introduce the latest in available Linux-based solutions and assist its customer base and industry partners with advice and information.
"Our mandate is to keep our client base informed about the latest Linux and open source technology on offer. For example, the local industry alliance we have with Scalix, a US-based international messaging infrastructure company, offers us access to solutions that make an instant impression on clients.
"One such product is the Scalix Small Business Server solution that features almost the same functionality as the company's enterprise solution, but is targeted primarily at the small-to-medium segment of the market," adds Hasson.
According to Hasson, Scalix Small Business Server provides companies full Exchange functionality at a fraction of the cost.
The product includes the industry's most robust third-party MS Outlook support and Scalix Web Access, the company's award-winning and fully-featured AJAX Web e-mail client that combines the power of desktop e-mail with the convenience of a browser.
It also includes native Novell Evolution support (enabling full-function e-mail and calendaring on Linux desktops), unlimited POP/IMAP e-mail access, GUI and command line administration, full group calendaring, scheduling and the optional Scalix Wireless Solution.
"We continue to receive very positive feedback from clients that have committed to a migration from traditional e-mail platforms, Exchange and other messaging infrastructure. Clearly, there is an association between Linux-based technology and benefits, such as improved operational efficiency, higher levels of infrastructure management and control, as well as lower total cost of ownership," he adds.
The Synaq breakfast is free, but seating is limited. Those people interested in attending should register as soon as possible with Gloria at gloria@synaq.com, (012) 803 5686, or click through to http://www.synaq.com/openbreakfast.
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Gauteng-based Synaq (www.synaq.com) is a young, vibrant and dynamic company specialising in the delivery of Linux and open source software to a broad spectrum of clients across South Africa, utilising its unique managed Linux services approach.
Drawing on over eight years of in-depth Linux experience with a specific focus on network optimisation and open source software implementations, Synaq is able to provide products and services that reduce a company's total cost of ownership, while allowing for greater flexibility and speed when needing to adapt to an ever-changing market environment.
The company's solutions range from proxy and mail server implementations to detailed Linux server consolidation and migration strategies.
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