 By Marvin Huffaker
Have you ever bought something because the advertisement was really cool, promised that it could do everything you wanted, and even offered eternal salvation? You probably spent a lot of money on it and then realized it was a bunch of hype. With consumer products like Rotisseries and Grills, it’s pretty easy to recover from. But in the IT Industry, a bad decision can go a long way. By the time you realize you've made a mistake, you've spent so much time and money on the ‘solution’ that you can’t possibly turn back. You just have to take a big gulp and move forward with it, and try not to make the same mistake twice.
In the mid 90’s, millions of people jumped on the Microsoft bandwagon and installed Exchange 5.5. There was a lot of hype, and it promised the world. But Exchange quickly became known for its security, reliability, and management problems. Even the newer versions are susceptible to the same problems. Companies spent a lot of time and money implementing Exchange 5.5, and many of them are still running it because they don't want to go through the same thing again. It’s estimated that even at the end of 2005, there will still be about 32 Million people using Exchange 5.5.
But now, Microsoft is strong-arming its customers into making a critical decision: Upgrade now or lose support forever. No more patches, no more security updates, and no more help when the systems crash and burn. Microsoft is officially ending support for Exchange 5.5 as Dec 31, 2005. Microsoft wants companies to upgrade to Exchange 2003, and this is how they plan to do it.
What Microsoft doesn't realize is that companies are starting to figure out that they have a choice. They don’t have to play the Microsoft game; they can choose their email package and the operating system it runs on. They're realizing that the Microsoft hype is just that, and aren't buying it anymore. Microsoft has left them out in the cold with empty promises, substandard security, and reliability that has much to be desired. And now that Microsoft is ending support for Exchange 5.5, many companies are seriously considering other options. This is where GroupWise 7 comes in.
GroupWise 7, the latest collaboration suite from Novell, is a “Best of Class” solution that is the ultimate alternative to Exchange. Novell is known for its security, reliability, and performance and you shouldn't expect anything less from GroupWise. Furthermore, you can actually migrate to GroupWise for less money than an Exchange to Exchange upgrade. While an Exchange upgrade is generally “Rip and Replace”, GroupWise can be installed into your existing network without requiring a complete redesign. Even a brand new GroupWise implementation can be painless and trouble free if done correctly.
Here are some of the best reasons to make the switch to GroupWise:
- GroupWise 7 supports Outlook, so existing Exchange users don’t have to learn anything new.
- There have been no reported incidents of damage or infections caused by email viruses and worms on GroupWise systems. On the flip side, Exchange and Outlook are constantly hit with new viruses that take servers down for days at a time while they are rebuilt.
- GroupWise is completely cross-platform capable on the client and server. The back end can run on Linux, Windows, and NetWare. The client can run on Macintosh, Linux, and Windows. With Exchange, you can only use Windows for your server back end, and Linux is not supported on either the server or client.
- GroupWise can usually be upgraded in place. Exchange upgrades generally require a lot of new hardware and even Microsoft recommends a complete network rebuild.
- Licensing for Exchange is very confusing. GroupWise licensing is straightforward and done on a simple, per user basis.
- GroupWise handles a load capacity up to 200 times greater than Exchange, reducing the cost of hardware and management.
- The Microsoft Exchange roadmap for the future is very sketchy. Novell has committed to the continued development and support of GroupWise through at least 2015.
If you feel left out in the cold with your Exchange email system, now is a great time to switch to GroupWise. Novell is currently running an AWESOME promotion for upgrading from any competing product. For roughly $49 per user, you get GroupWise 7 plus two (2) full years of upgrade protection. That’s practically free. Novell is running the offer through February 28, 2006, so now is a great time to get in on the deal.
Whether you're ready to migrate from Microsoft Exchange, or you just want stronger security and a more dependable collaboration system (or both), you'll find that GroupWise 7 is a pleasure to install, use, and manage. Marvin Huffaker Consulting specializes in Novell solutions and can help with any GroupWise needs you may have.
About Marvin Huffaker Consulting
Marvin Huffaker Consulting is
located in Phoenix, Arizona and specializes in Professional Novell Solutions and Support. We focus on NetWare, GroupWise, ZENworks, and Identity Management technologies. We can plan, design, implement, and support these solutions for you. Our contact information can be found here. |
