This article is part of an series on open-source telecommunications alternatives.
Though open-source messaging software represents an increasingly attractive alternative to Microsoft (MSFT) Exchange, the UC features in Exchange 2007 have bolstered the MS franchise.
Josė Velez, president of Velez Computer Systems, an Open-Xchange partner in San Juan, Puerto Rico, explained, “The main problem with open source is the customer mentality which treasures Microsoft and cannot consider free software over an overpriced Microsoft application that is not reliable.”
The move to unified communications presents an additional challenge for open source systems, such as the Collaboration Suite from Yahoo subsidiary Zimbra, Open-Xchange, and Scalix, distributed by Linux vendor Xandros, Inc.
Available as an upgrade to Exchange 2003, Microsoft Exchange 2007 now incorporates unified communications features including:
- Integrated e-mail, voice, Web conferencing and presence.
- Voice access to e-mail that allows users to call the Exchange server from any phone and request that e-mail messages be read to them. Users can also reply verbally and/or access calendaring to cancel or reschedule appointments, using touchtone phone keys.
- Integration with SharePoint, LiveMeeting, and Office Live.
These features may hamper the ability of open-source solutions to make further inroads into the Exchange installed base.
Nevertheless, even with the Exchange 2007 unified communications capabilities, customers are not flocking to upgrade simply to gain access to the new UC capabilities.
“Currently people are showing interest in UC, but the economy has put implementation on hold,” said Sara Radicati, CEO of The Radicati Group in Palo Alto, Calif.
Training, Upgrades Slow Adoption
There are a few technical and budgetary issues that are slowing adoption of Microsoft Exchange.
First, Microsoft Exchange 2007 deployment generally requires purchase of a new server with 64-bit hardware. Even where Exchange 2003 is already installed on a 64-bit system, the upgrade cannot be done in place on the existing server, may also require upgrading Active Directory software and possibly moving it to a more powerful processor.
Second, Outlook 2007 is required to take full advantage of Exchange 2007. Although less disruptive to users than an upgrade to a completely different client or getting Outlook to communicate with an open-source server, this change may require allocating already tight budgetary resources to end-user training.
Third, an upgrade to Exchange 2007 requires training in-house IT staff to perform the upgrade or hiring outside consultants. In either case, internal staff must be trained to provide ongoing maintenance, which is problematic in a recession, when training is often the first budget item to be cut.
Meanwhile, open-source vendors are aggressively attempting to respond to Exchange 2007.
