TARRYTOWN, N.Y., July 16 /PRNewswire/ -- 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 (http://www.open-xchange.com/shop) and through qualified resellers. Prices for end customers start at US$ 898 / euro 691. Governmental, non- profit organizations and educational organizations are eligible for discounts. All prices exclude VAT.

About Open-Xchange Server

Open-Xchange Server delivers Smart Collaboration(TM) 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 http://www.open-xchange.com/.

MEDIA CONTACT: Mike Maney Page One Public Relations for Open-Xchange mike@pageonepr.com +1.215.345.7096

CONTACT: Mike Maney of Page One Public Relations, +1-215-345-7096,
mike@pageonepr.com, for Open-Xchange

Web site: http://www.open-xchange.com/