Synaq, national Managed Linux Services provider and Open Source software specialist, is to incorporate the Scalix Small Business Server solution and related services into its offering.
This is one of the first developments to arise from Synaq's recently established local industry alliance with Scalix, a US-based international messaging infrastructure company, to provide new Linux-based server infrastructure.
The Scalix Small Business Server (SBS) is a recent product that provides the same functionality as its Enterprise offering but is aimed at the Small-to-Medium Enterprise market (up to 50 users).
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 email client that combines the power of desktop email with the convenience of a browser.
It also includes native Novell Evolution support (enabling full-function email and calendaring on Linux desktops), unlimited POP/IMAP email access, GUI and command line administration, full group calendaring and scheduling and the optional Scalix Wireless Solution.
It differs from Enterprise Edition mainly in that it supports only a single server version of Scalix instead of multi-server instances.
According to Yossi Hasson, sales and marketing director of Synaq, the Scalix SBS is designed as a true alternative to Microsoft's Exchange. To do so, he says, there needs to be significant similarity not only in the technology feature set but the 'useability' and familiarity of the solution as a whole.
"Companies that implement Scalix are still able to use Microsoft Outlook as their default email client, the Scalix Web Access is an "Outlook Like" webmail interface that carries this thought pattern further. The Scalix Administration Console is a simple yet affective console that allows most administrators, with limited experience, to fully manage and administer the Scalix system," explains Hasson.
"Scalix is compatible with most email clients - the Web interface supports both Internet Explorer and Mozilla-based browsers such as firefox. Scalix SBS comes standard with mobile access support for devices like the iMate and Blackberry," he adds.
"To date there have not been many "full featured" alternatives to Microsoft SBS. Most alternatives, though cost-effective, often excelled in one area such as stability and security, but lack in another area for instance poor webmail and no calendaring. Scalix not only offers a significant cost reduction but does not compromise on the functionality and features that a company is buying into," Hasson continues.
Synaq has become a strategic local partner and a key role player in assisting Scalix in the development of its local presence.
"The company is investing heavily in developing the local skills and knowledgebase of the local market through key partners already present in the South African market that are both familiar and capable to implement mission critical email systems. Recently Scalix's EMEA Technical director flew over to South Africa for five days to provide intense high level training. They will soon be sending another high level resource down to South Africa to present together with Synaq at LinuxWorld in May," Hasson continues.
Synaq's role is to recommend the best solution for a company, assist with the actual implementation / migration and provide high level 2nd and 3rd level support for companies that do not have the resources or skill set to manage and maintain such a solution.
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