Novell has released a beta version of its Groupwise 7 collaboration platform, which promises to offer better functionality, greater integration with rival products and pre-bundled Linux capabilities. It has also pledged to support Groupwise for another decade.
The new version includes support for Novell's e-mail system and Microsoft Outlook and various usability enhancements.
Groupwise 7 lets users run the Outlook client with a Groupwise back end. A connector is included to support either Outlook 2003 or XP. It also features integrated instant messaging and a pre-bundled SuSE Linux enterprise server platform.
"Novell's commitment to supporting Groupwise through 2015 is a strong signal to users that it can be counted on into the foreseeable future," said Mark Levitt, an analyst at IDC.
"Its availability on Linux offers a real choice for firms looking beyond Windows."
