| Scalix gains mobile device synchronization |
Jun. 18, 2009
 Xandros-owned email and groupware vendor Scalix released Scalix ActiveSync 1.0, a push email and synchronization add-on to Scalix Server that implements Microsoft's Exchange ActiveSync protocol for wireless message synchronization. Scalix also released Scalix Server 11.4.4, touted for its over 200 improvements.
(Click for larger view of Scalix email synchronization with ActiveSync)
Scalix ActiveSync 1.0 is an add-on for Scalix Server, offering push email services, as well as wireless calendar and contact synchronization, says the company. The ActiveSync compatibility means that Scalix users can interact and synchronize not only with Windows Mobile-based devices, but also the Apple iPhone and Symbian phones, including the Nokia's E- and N-Series, says the company.
Implemented as a Java J2EE Web application, Scalix ActiveSync can be deployed on Scalix Server in a single-server setup. Alternatively, it can run on a separate machine, or on a system acting as a web-mail server for external Scalix Web Access, says the company.
Scalix calendar synchronization with ActiveSync
(Click to enlarge)
Microsoft has been expanding its list of licensees for the Exchange ActiveSync protocol, which describes ways of sharing data between servers and mobile devices. For example, according to our sister site, WindowsForDevices, Microsoft signed a deal in March with Gecad Technologies allowing Windows Mobile devices to synchronize with Gecad's Axigen Mail Servers, which run on both Windows and Linux platforms. More background on ActiveSync is available in the March story, here.
Scalix ActiveSync 1.0 was made possible via an expanded Microsoft-Xandros messaging protocol license and collaboration agreement that assures "superior long-term interoperability with Microsoft and others over comparable reverse-engineered and patent infringing solutions," says Xandros. In June 2007, a month before acquiring Scalix, Linux distro provider Xandros signed a set of broad collaboration agreements with Microsoft that proved to be controversial in the Linux community. Similar to an earlier, and similarly controversial Microsoft pact with Novell, the deal included an intellectual property assurance under which Microsoft would provide patent covenants for Xandros customers.
Scalix 11.4.4
The new 11.4.4 release of Scalix Server integrates over 200 enhancements, says the company. The key addition is said to be new Outlook client support for the 64-bit version of Windows Vista.
Scalix is a Linux-based email, calendaring, and messaging application used by thousands of corporate customers in 65 countries, says the company. More than a million Scalix mailboxes are said to have been deployed, and the project is supported by some 6,000 active community members.
Stated Scalix ActiveSync beta tester Bill Baird, Director of Technology at Phoenix Marketing International, "We looked for an email/calendaring solution that would run on Linux, embrace open standards, have an active online community and offer ... Outlook integration. The only missing piece was built-in ActiveSync support."
Stated Andreas Typaldos, CEO of Xandros, "With the implementation of Microsoft's ActiveSync Protocol, Scalix now offers users the same range of connectivity choices ... that they currently enjoy with Microsoft Exchange. By licensing Microsoft's protocol instead of using a reverse-engineered solution ... we are better positioned to provide Scalix customers with compatibility upgrades for future ActiveSync enhancements from Microsoft."
Available
Scalix ActiveSync 1.0 and Scalix 11.4.4 are both available for download. More information may be available here, More on Scalix 11.4.4 may be found here.
-- Eric Brown
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