Open-Xchange Express Edition announced

   
  Open-Xchange Brings User-Friendly Open Source Collaboration Software to
Small Businesses 
  

  Open-Xchange Express Edition Gives Businesses the Benefits of a World Class
Open Source Collaboration Solution Without the Need to Know Linux
  

  TARRYTOWN, NY, July 16, 2007 - Open-Xchange Inc., today announced
full-featured collaboration software designed to make it easy for small- and
medium-sized businesses to take advantage of the cost benefits of open source
without requiring prior Linux know-how. The product, Open-Xchange Express
Edition, provides organizations with an alternative to expensive proprietary
collaboration software.
  

  Open-Xchange Express Edition includes all the tools required by companies
to facilitate communication and efficient teamwork. The product does not
require a licensed operating system or any other software prior to
installation. Open-Xchange Express Edition transforms a bare metal computer
into a fully-functional e-mail and groupware Server integrating the
increasingly popular Ubuntu operating system.
  

  "Many organizations - especially those categorized as small and
medium-sized businesses - require a low-cost and low-maintenance in-house
solution that unites e-mail, calendaring, tasks and document sharing," said
Gerald Labie, CEO, Open-Xchange. "Open-Xchange Express Edition was designed
specifically for this underserved but large corner of the market."
  
  To further facilitate the adoption process, Open-Xchange Express Edition
supports standard groupware clients, such as Microsoft Outlook. Outlook users
on Open-Xchange Express Edition can synchronize public, private, and shared
folders, accept or decline appointments through Outlook, manage private
appointments, tasks, contacts, and "Free/Busy" status. In addition,
Open-Xchange Express Edition's AJAX-based web interface is always accessible
to users, regardless of platform.
  

  While developing Open-Xchange Express Edition, the company was determined
to make the solution user-friendly. The installation wizard guides companies
through the process of configuring the operating system and groupware
solution in a few steps. The installation can be completed within minutes and
delivers a fully functional smart collaboration solution including a
self-explanatory user interface to support ease of use.
  

  "Ubuntu has radically changed the economics of IT for small business
owners," said Mark Shuttleworth, founder of Ubuntu. "Integrated,
ready-to-work software solutions like Open-Xchange Express Edition on Ubuntu
make it easier for non-technical SMEs to increase productivity and spur
innovation while reducing their IT costs at the same time."
  

  In addition to easy installation, Open-Xchange Express Edition offers
enterprise users simple and intuitive tools with intelligent features, such
as smart links between calendar appointments, task lists, contacts,
documents, bookmarks, and knowledge articles. 
  

  "Open-Xchange collaboration features, when delivered with tested,
certified and supported open source middleware and operating systems, means
lower acquisition and operating costs for customers," said Kim Polese, CEO of
SpikeSource. "Reliable and secure open-source solutions have become a part of
the SME scene and we look forward to offering Open-Xchange Express Edition to
our customers." 
  

  Prices and Availability
  Open-Xchange Express Edition is available today at the Open-Xchange Online
Shop (www.open-xchange.com/shop) and through qualified resellers. Prices for
end customers start at US$ 898 / € 691. Governmental, non-profit
organizations and educational organziations are eligible for discounts. All
prices exclude VAT.
  

  About Open-Xchange Server
  Open-Xchange Server delivers Smart Collaboration that simplifies everyday
life, work and social interactions. It is based on AJAX, open source software
and open standards and offers reliable and scalable messaging and advanced
groupware solutions. Open-Xchange Server offers email, calendar, contacts,
tasks, and knowledge management. Unique features of Open-Xchange Server
include: Infostore, a common repository of documents, bookmarks and knowledge
entries; Documail, the integration of email and document sharing/version
control; Smart Links between all collaboration objects; Smart Privacy, that
let's users define read and write access to all collaboration objects; and
Universal Access, the ability to access the server from the widest variety of
browsers and clients. Organizations use the Open-Xchange Server's GUI-based
administration module featuring Tiered Entitlement to implement role-based
user management. 
  

  Launched in August 2004, Open-Xchange's open source project is licensed
under the General Public License for the software program and the Creative
Commons, Attribution, Noncommercial, ShareAlike or CC:by-nc-sa for the
digital content or Web Access Add-on. Open-Xchange Server has been recently
awarded LinuxWorld's Product Excellence Award, ServerWatch's Product
Excellent Award, and InfoWeek's Server Product of the Year. 
  

  About Open-Xchange Inc.
  Open-Xchange Inc. is the innovator of scalable and integrated open source
email and collaboration solutions for enterprises, academic institutions, and
government authorities. Open-Xchange Hosting Edition enables web-hosting
companies to provide an easy-to-use and feature-rich application delivered as
Software as a Service (SaaS). Internet service providers (ISPs) and hosting
providers, led by 1&1 Internet, deliver advanced email and groupware features
through Open-Xchange Hosting Edition to millions of users. Open-Xchange Inc.
is a privately held company headquartered in Tarrytown, NY, with research,
development, and operations in Olpe and Nuremberg, Germany. For more
information, please visit www.open-xchange.com.