Examining the 'second tier' of messaging

Unified Communications This newsletter is sponsored by Meru Networks New Executive Guide: Stay on Top of Wireless Tech Wireless network technology developments move lighting fast in the enterprise. Get up to speed on the latest WLAN developments in technology, management and more with Network World's latest Executive Guide, "Keeping Up With the Wireless Whirlwind." Click here to download! Network World's Unified Communications Newsletter, 08/21/07 Examining the ‘second tier’ of messaging By Michael Osterman Microsoft Exchange, IBM Lotus Notes/Domino and Novell GroupWise account for more than 80% of corporate e-mail seats in North America. Most of the attention focused on corporate e-mail and instant messaging tends to be on these three platforms given that these companies are the ‘movers and shakers’ in the context of corporate messaging, and the fact that they all provide very robust capabilities. But what if you had to implement complete corporate e-mail and IM capabilities with a company in the ‘second tier’ of messaging companies – Ipswitch, MailSite, Gordano, CommuniGate, Scalix or Zimbra, are just a few of the many companies that provide corporate messaging capabilities. I use the term ‘second tier’ not in any derisive way, but only to indicate that these companies are smaller players in the context of corporate e-mail and are considered and deployed far less often than the Big Three. For example, one of these players – Gordano – offers a very nice suite of capabilities (the Gordano Messaging Suite – GMS) that includes an e-mail server that runs on either Windows or UNIX platforms and is priced at $2.70 per user for 2,000 mailboxes. GMS includes a Collaboration Server that uses a MAPI connector and provides full Outlook support that also integrates with Apple’s iCal, Mozilla Calendar and other systems – pricing for the Collaboration Server is $16 per seat for 2,000 users. Plus, GMS also includes an IM system, Webmail server, robust antivirus and antispam capabilities, a firewall, a list server and an archiving capability in various additional modules. Network World Security Buyer's Guide Find the right security products for your enterprise - fast. From anti-spam to wireless LAN security, our Buyer's Guides have detailed information on hundreds of products in more than 20 categories. With the side-by-side comparison tool you can evaluate product features to make the best decision for your enterprise. Click here to go to the Security Buyer's Guide now. Clearly, Microsoft, IBM Lotus and Novell are considered much more often than are these second tier players. Why? If you’re somehow involved in managing your company’s messaging system, I’d like to hear from you to get your views on this, and on why the smaller players aren’t evaluated in the same context as are the larger players.   What do you think? Post a comment on this newsletter

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Contact the author: For webinars or research on messaging, or to join the Osterman Research market research survey panel, go here. Osterman Research helps organizations understand the markets for messaging and directory related offerings. To e-mail Michael, click here. This newsletter is sponsored by Meru Networks New Executive Guide: Stay on Top of Wireless Tech Wireless network technology developments move lighting fast in the enterprise. Get up to speed on the latest WLAN developments in technology, management and more with Network World's latest Executive Guide, "Keeping Up With the Wireless Whirlwind." Click here to download! ARCHIVE Archive of the Unified Communications Newsletter. BONUS FEATURE IT PRODUCT RESEARCH AT YOUR FINGERTIPS Get detailed information on thousands of products, conduct side-by-side comparisons and read product test and review results with Network World’s IT Buyer’s Guides. Find the best solution faster than ever with over 100 distinct categories across the security, storage, management, wireless, infrastructure and convergence markets. Click here for details. PRINT SUBSCRIPTIONS AVAILABLE You've got the technology snapshot of your choice delivered to your inbox each day. Extend your knowledge with a print subscription to the Network World newsweekly, Apply here today. International subscribers, click here. SUBSCRIPTION SERVICES To subscribe or unsubscribe to any Network World newsletter, change your e-mail address or contact us, click here. This message was sent to: networking.world@gmail.com. Please use this address when modifying your subscription. Advertising information: Write to Associate Publisher Online Susan Cardoza Network World, Inc., 118 Turnpike Road, Southborough, MA 01772 Copyright Network World, Inc., 2007