Round Tale

(The Hosting News) – Open-Xchange, a provider of business-class open source collaboration software, announced the availability of data migration tools for users of Microsoft Outlook to easily move e-mails, contacts, appointments and tasks to Open-Xchange Server.

Whether users have used Outlook as a stand-alone e-mail client or in combination with Exchange Server, the “Open-Xchange Microsoft Outlook Uploader” enables all users to easily move their data — stored as PST files (Personal Storage Table) to Open-Xchange Server. A PST file contains copies of e-mail messages, calendar events, and other items on the local computer. Due to PST file size limitations, PST files can be distributed amongst several workstations without a proper back-up strategy. Having all data centralized on the Open-Xchange Server enables administrators to integrate that data into their server-side backup environment and security policies.

“We are significantly minimizing the hassle and cost for migrations to our open source collaboration software,” said Rafael Laguna, CEO of Open-Xchange. “We made the tool as intuitive and easy as possible to ensure that every user can install and use the tool without support.“

The “Uploader” supports the following two customer scenarios:

- The tool enables users to move from Microsoft Outlook to the Open-Xchange web client to help organizations significantly reduce costs for Outlook licenses. The migration process is completely transparent — the “Uploader” keeps familiar folder and data structures in place to make it easy for the user to instantly access all e-mails, contacts, calendars and tasks using Open-Xchange.

- For organizations moving from Microsoft Exchange Server to Open-Xchange, while keeping Microsoft Outlook for some or all users, the tool supports an easy-to-use user-centric migration process. Users who would like to clean-up their Outlook data will benefit from the “Uploader´s” manageability and flexibility.

The cost savings can be substantial by migrating to Open-Xchange. As one example, for a 50-person company the difference between Microsoft Exchange and Open-Xchange is estimated to be $1,200 lower per year. More examples for various size enterprises are shown here, www.open-xchange.com/en/node/952.

The software is licensed under GNU General Public License v2 and is available for free download at http://oxpedia.org/wiki/index.php?title=OX_Outlook_Uploader. Development of Open-Xchange Microsoft Outlook Uploader was supported by Shinsei Bank, Japan.

About Open-Xchange
Open-Xchange is the innovator of scalable and integrated open source e-mail and collaboration solutions for enterprises, academic institutions, and government authorities. The company provides on-premises versions called Open-Xchange Server Edition and Open-Xchange Appliance Edition, along with Open-Xchange Hosting Edition, which enables web hosting companies to provide an easy-to-use and feature-rich application delivered as Software as a Service (SaaS). The Open-Xchange Hosting Edition is architected to integrate into a hosting provider’s existing infrastructure, such as authentication, provisioning, billing, and e-mail storage and does not require that these systems be replaced.

Open-Xchange AG is a privately-held company headquartered in Nuremberg, Germany with offices in Olpe, Germany and Tarrytown, N.Y. For more information, please visit www.open-xchange.com.

Source: Open-Xchange Releases Free Migration Tool For Microsoft Outlook Users

(The Hosting News) – Open-Xchange, a provider of business-class open source collaboration software, announced the availability of data migration tools for users of Microsoft Outlook to easily move e-mails, contacts, appointments and tasks to Open-Xchange Server.

Whether users have used Outlook as a stand-alone e-mail client or in combination with Exchange Server, the “Open-Xchange Microsoft Outlook Uploader” enables all users to easily move their data — stored as PST files (Personal Storage Table) to Open-Xchange Server. A PST file contains copies of e-mail messages, calendar events, and other items on the local computer. Due to PST file size limitations, PST files can be distributed amongst several workstations without a proper back-up strategy. Having all data centralized on the Open-Xchange Server enables administrators to integrate that data into their server-side backup environment and security policies.

“We are significantly minimizing the hassle and cost for migrations to our open source collaboration software,” said Rafael Laguna, CEO of Open-Xchange. “We made the tool as intuitive and easy as possible to ensure that every user can install and use the tool without support.“

The “Uploader” supports the following two customer scenarios:

- The tool enables users to move from Microsoft Outlook to the Open-Xchange web client to help organizations significantly reduce costs for Outlook licenses. The migration process is completely transparent — the “Uploader” keeps familiar folder and data structures in place to make it easy for the user to instantly access all e-mails, contacts, calendars and tasks using Open-Xchange.

- For organizations moving from Microsoft Exchange Server to Open-Xchange, while keeping Microsoft Outlook for some or all users, the tool supports an easy-to-use user-centric migration process. Users who would like to clean-up their Outlook data will benefit from the “Uploader´s” manageability and flexibility.

The cost savings can be substantial by migrating to Open-Xchange. As one example, for a 50-person company the difference between Microsoft Exchange and Open-Xchange is estimated to be $1,200 lower per year. More examples for various size enterprises are shown here, www.open-xchange.com/en/node/952.

The software is licensed under GNU General Public License v2 and is available for free download at http://oxpedia.org/wiki/index.php?title=OX_Outlook_Uploader. Development of Open-Xchange Microsoft Outlook Uploader was supported by Shinsei Bank, Japan.

About Open-Xchange
Open-Xchange is the innovator of scalable and integrated open source e-mail and collaboration solutions for enterprises, academic institutions, and government authorities. The company provides on-premises versions called Open-Xchange Server Edition and Open-Xchange Appliance Edition, along with Open-Xchange Hosting Edition, which enables web hosting companies to provide an easy-to-use and feature-rich application delivered as Software as a Service (SaaS). The Open-Xchange Hosting Edition is architected to integrate into a hosting provider’s existing infrastructure, such as authentication, provisioning, billing, and e-mail storage and does not require that these systems be replaced.

Open-Xchange AG is a privately-held company headquartered in Nuremberg, Germany with offices in Olpe, Germany and Tarrytown, N.Y. For more information, please visit www.open-xchange.com.

Open-Xchange Releases Free Migration Tool For Microsoft Outlook Users

HMS Panel is an all-in-one control panel designed for Linux server platforms.  A multi-server solution, it offers a number of advantages to both the web hosting provider or the customer who needs a more efficient way to manage their dedicated or virtual private server.  HMS Panel is secure, easy to use and loaded with an arsenal of features that will surely come in handy for administrators at all levels.  Here is the rundown:

Complete Domain Management

HMS Panel provides a complete system for managing domains.  Users can add domains and sub-domains to the IP address of their choosing whether it is located on or off the server.  Wildcards can be added so that all sub-domains for a particular domain point to a specific IP address.  You can also modify domain zone files along with CNAME records, A records and MX records.

Email Management System

Web hosting customers on the client side benefit greatly from features such as HMS Panel’s robust email management system.  Users can easily create email accounts and customize their communications with forwarders, catch-all addresses and auto-responders.  While customers have access to their messages via the control panel interface with SquirrelMail, they can also integrate Microsoft Outlook Express or their preferred mail client.

.htaccess Management

HMS Panel offers a robust .htaccess management tools that can be used to apply various settings to directories within a particular domain.  This includes error handling with custom 401, 403, 404, and 505 redirects, IP and domain blocking, file and directory redirects, hotlink protection, directory browsing and much more.  The .htaccess management console utilizes AJAX technology, making it a dynamic and very flexible system.  While this system is very convenient, experienced administrators also have the ability to modify .htaccess via the standard control panel interface.

Web Application Management

Similar to most control panels on the market today, HMS Panel is integrated with a facility that enables customers to perform one-click installations of various pre-installed software applications.  The software management console makes it easy to incorporate programs such as WordPress, phpBB, phpAdsNew, Gallery, Drupal and osCommerce among several others.  These applications are mainly available due to user request, but the HMS Panel control panel offers the ability to install many more third-party scripts.

Advanced Security

HMS Panel was developed with advanced web technologies and security mechanisms.  The software utilizes sophisticated API authorization to ensure that server communications remain protected.  By leveraging an enterprise-grade authentication system, HMS Panel is able to better assure that web applications and network security features are properly configured.  The software also uses process isolation, a technology that allows administrators to isolate web applications from one another, making it so that potential issues with one application do not affect others running on the server.

A Complete Control Panel Solution

Now on version 3.5.1, HMS Panel is quickly evolving to be one of the most remarkable control panels on the market.  It has all the basic capabilities offered by other panels with a few qualities that make it stand out from rest.  If you are in search of a new control panel for your server, give HMS Panel a shot with the free 30-day trial license.

Exchange hosting revolves around a popular server software application that facilitates the sending and receiving of electronic messages and the sharing of other business critical data via online or wireless devices.  The Exchange software is specifically designed to work with Microsoft Outlook, Outlook Express and other mail clients typically used in the business setting.  The goal of this technology is to provide companies of all sizes with access to their data while increasing productivity in their respective environments.

The Exchange Server

The Microsoft Exchange Server is the major component of Exchange hosting.  This software is comprised of a mobile email and collaboration suite equipped with email messaging capabilities, calenders, shared folders, contact lists and to do lists.  Unlike traditional POP3 email accounts where messages are deleted from the server upon retrieval, a hosted Exchange service stores messages on a remote third-party server.  This type of service allows users to access shared or private files at any time on any mobile device equipped with a web browser or PC with a compatible mail client.

Supported Devices and Protocols

With Exchange hosting, emails and other business data stored on the server can be accessed through various client devices such as personal computers and PDAs.  Some of the devices commonly used with the service include the Blackberry, Motorola Qpocket, Nokia Smartphone and Treo.  The Exchange server enables the synchronization of inboxes, contacts, calenders and task lists along with mobile browsers that support HTML, compressed HTML and WAP-based devices.  The software runs on Windows Server operating systems and supports various messaging protocols including MAPI, POP3, IMAP4 and SMTP.

The Exchange Advantage

Microsoft Exchange is easily the most widely used messaging solution of its kind.  With a hosted service, small and medium sized businesses can enjoy benefits that were previously only available to bigger companies with more resources.  Exchange hosting is very cost effective as there is no investing in expensive hardware or software.  In addition, outsourcing the service allows for an easy, secure deployment that can be scaled up or down according to your needs.

The seamless integration of messaging services offers numerous advantages to business users that rely on Exchange.  With shared calenders, employees can view the availability of their colleagues to schedule and manage meetings, shared task lists can be created and assigned for sharing with team members, and shared contacts help to ensure the accuracy of information while ensuring that data is secure and not lost or misplaced.  These features and more make Exchange a solution that can truly maximize the efficiency of your business communications.

Before the prevalence of Exchange hosting, mobile functionality was virtually non existent for businesses that lacked the time or resources needs to house and maintain a server.  With hosted services now available, businesses can outsource their messaging needs in exchange for a feature-rich package at a low cost.  The best thing about Exchange hosting is that you get the benefit of a fully equipped data center to house the equipment along with technical support.  This results in a managed enterprise-level collaborative communication system handled in a secure and cost-efficient manner.