Novell GroupWise

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

GroupWise

Groupwise 7.0 client mailbox
Developed by Novell
Latest release 7.0 (SP3) / March 14, 2008
OS Cross-platform
Genre Collaborative software
License Proprietary
Website www.novell.com

GroupWise is a cross-platform collaborative software product from Novell, Inc. offering e-mail, calendaring, instant messaging and document management.

Contents

[edit] Summary

GroupWise can operate on a number of server and workstation platforms. Server platforms include NetWare, Linux, and Windows. There is a Windows client and a less-capable Java client for Linux and Mac OS X. Novell has promised closer client feature parity in the next major release, codenamed Bonsai, which is due for a Q4 2008 launch.[1] There are also GroupWise connectors for Microsoft Outlook and Novell Evolution.

GroupWise WebAccess 7.0 rendered by Mozilla Firefox running under Windows XP
GroupWise WebAccess 7.0 rendered by Mozilla Firefox running under Windows XP

GroupWise WebAccess provides users with most of the functionality of the desktop clients from a Web browser. It also supports handheld/PDA access via the Web. The most current revision of GroupWise (7.0) includes license to GroupWise Mobile Server by Nokia which enables wireless mail support for almost any cellular phone device.

The GroupWise Post Office Agent (POA) supports IMAP and SOAP access to user mailboxes, in addition to the native client. The GroupWise Internet Agent (GWIA) provides SMTP communication to other E-Mail systems, and also supports IMAP, POP3, SOAP, and iCalendar access to user mailboxes.[2] Additionally, special modules called gateways support direct connectivity to other groupware systems such as Microsoft Exchange Server and Lotus Notes.

GroupWise includes instant messaging since version 6.5. The solution is targeted specifically at the corporate market with features such as directory service integration and SSL encryption.[3] In addition to the Windows and Linux clients provided by Novell, the protocol is supported by popular multiprotocol IM applications such as Kopete, Pidgin (previously known as GAIM) and Adium.

The latest version is 7.0. It includes pre-bundled SUSE Linux Enterprise Server, which can be used for running GroupWise at no additional cost.

GroupWise is included in the Novell Open Workgroup Suite and its precursors, the Novell Small Business Suite and the Novell Linux Small Business Suite.

[edit] History

GroupWise originated in 1986 with an extension of the WordPerfect suite, called "WordPerfect Library 1.0" which ran at the time on the Data General and Amiga platforms. The product was developed by WordPerfect Corporation in conjunction with some of their largest customers, including the US Department of Justice, as well as with the programming input of some individual system admins of smaller government agencies, like Eliot Lanes. WordPerfect Library did not include email or calendaring: it consisted of Personal Calendar, Editor, Notebook, Calculator, File Manager and Shell. In 1987, WordPerfect Library was extended to the PC platform in a DOS version.[1]

In 1988, email and calendaring/scheduling debuted in the product, which was also rebranded as "WordPerfect Office 2.0".

1990 brought the release of WordPerfect Office 3.0, adding Macintosh and UNIX to the client mix and supporting multiple servers with cross-server email, calendaring and scheduling.

WordPerfect Office 3.1 was released in 1992, adding a Windows client and boasting the ability to work cross-platform on DOS, Windows, Macintosh, UNIX and VAX/VMS. Version 3.1 also added a remote capability for async or wireless connections.

Version 4.0 was released in 1993 with an entirely new interface and transitioning to a database technology or the message store. Other major features included task management, server-based rules, remote replication/synchronization, centralized administration of multiple servers, 32-bit server capability, simultaneous release on all platforms, and many other innovative additions that were firsts in the market. Gateways included SMTP, X.400, fax, pager, and PROFS.

WordPerfect was acquired by Novell in 1994, and the server components were ported to the NetWare network operating system. At the same time, WordPerfect Office was renamed GroupWise and integrated with Novell Directory Services (now known as Novell eDirectory). In 1996, Novell sold most of the WordPerfect applications to Corel Corporation, but decided to keep GroupWise.

GroupWise 4.1, the first Novell release, debuted in 1994, adding NLMs and gateways to offer extensive back-end capabilities. Other new features included World Wide Web links in objects, the ability for third-party developers to create and maintain items, tighter Netware integration and management, SNMP capabilities, live maintenance without the need to shut down the server, an integrated listserver, and the ability to access the system remotely via touch-tone telephone.

In 1996, GroupWise WebAccess was released as an add-on, providing internet-based access to GroupWise from a web browser.

GroupWise 5 in 1996 brought universal management of all types of messages and objects and full collaborative document management. GroupWise Imaging made scanned documents available as well. Integration with Novell Directory Services was also offered. Other notable features included conferencing, a Universal Mailbox, client/server functionality, and shared folders. At this time, some native client platforms were dropped at the time, notably the Macintosh client, preferring instead to offer support via the web-based client.

Version 5.2 added extensive Internet functionality in 1997, including IMAP4, LDAP, POP3, embedded URLs and native TCP/IP. GroupWise Workflow was also added to the product.

GroupWise 5.5 in 1998 enhanced all the basic groupware functions, added full-text indexing and enhanced support for internet standards and security.

In 2004, with the release of GroupWise 6.5 SP1, Linux was added to the list of platforms supported by the server components.

[edit] Future

 This article or section contains information about scheduled or expected future software.
The content may change as the software release approaches and more information becomes available.

In order to retain its GroupWise customer base, and to compete for market share with Microsoft Exchange Server, Novell has announced commitment to many years of further GroupWise development. In February 2005 they revealed their plans for product's future development, which include 3 new versions (in 2005, 2006 and 2008 respectively) with improvements in end-user experience, administrative interfaces, APIs, backup capabilities, scalability, etc.[4]

GroupWise has finally announced plans to replace GroupWise 7, originally launched in 2005, with GroupWise 8 (codenamed Groupwise Bonsai). It has begun beta testing and has not yet announced a released date for the final product. However, those following the developments closely speculate that the release date will probably be some time around the end of 2008. Novell has published a "What's New" document for GroupWise 8, which is available at http://www.novell.com/documentation/gwbonsai/.

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ Cool Blog: GroupWise Linux Client Sneak Preview. Retrieved on 2007-03-07.
  2. ^ GroupWise 7: Feature Comparison. Retrieved on 2007-03-07.
  3. ^ Instant Messaging with Novell GroupWise. Retrieved on 2007-03-07.
  4. ^ Novell Reveals Long-term Plans for GroupWise. Retrieved on 2007-03-07.

[edit] Further reading

[edit] External links

v • d • e
Novell
Identity and Systems Management
Linux Operating Systems
Workgroup Collaboration
Projects
Traning and Certification
Certified Novell Administrator · Certified Novell Engineer · Certified Linux Professional · Certified Linux Engineer  · Certified Linux Desktop Administrator  · Certified Linux Administrator  · Novell Certified Administrator
Important people
Major · Fairclough · Noorda · Hovespian · Merkey · Schmidt · Neibaur · Powell · Messman