Wed, 09 May 2012 Kerio Connect 7.4 review
Quality alternative to Microsoft Exchange adds Apple iPad support
- Manufacturer: Kerio
- Manufacturer: Kerio
- Pros: Improved multi-platform and device support for ease of collaboration and synchronisation, ability to share public folders, new iPad optimised web administration interface and IT controls, improved antispam engine.
- Cons: Potential to make staff always available outside the office and traditional working hours, antivirus not included in cheapest option, PC-like web interface not the most attractive on a Mac.
- Min specs: Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard and later, Windows 2000 (SP4) and later, Red Hat Linux, SUSE Linux, Debian Linux.
- Price: From £320 (Includes server licence, 5 users, and one year software maintenance). Additional User £19 - Sold in 5-user packs.
- Star rating:
While the iPad is a clear winner with general users, it's also been gaining significant ground in the world of business. This adoption by enterprise users has been recognised by the makers of mail server Kerio Connect. Already mobile friendly, Kerio Connect 7.4 adds full admin capabilities for Apple's iPad along with improved support for Android, Windows and BlackBerry users. Compatible with Mac, Windows and Linux based operating systems, virtual and cloud based options; it's a multi-platform, multi-user alternative to Microsoft Exchange. For IT administrators it offers an impressive range of tools and configurations to get most out of staff, either via an administration interface or compatible browser.
Armed with just an iPad, administrators can now tackle both routine and more complex admin tasks away from the office and desktop. Freedom to work potentially anywhere is a doubled edged sword however, with the prospect of the work-life balance being upset in economically difficult times.
iPad optimisation includes new multi-gesture support, which requires effort to master but offers speedier workflow and the ability to make the most of the tablet's roomier screen real estate. For non-IT users Kerio Connect offers secure email, built-in email archiving and the ability to sync and share public folders for better collaboration across mobile devices, antispam and for an additional fee antivirus protection. Kerio also promise improvement in initial synchronisation speeds over previous updates, along with a significantly smaller memory footprint. Additionally, Kerio Connect 7.4 adds support for iOS 5.1 and for Mac users compatibility with Microsoft Outlook Mac 2011 SP2.
The software comes in three options, starting at a not insignificant £320, which covers one server licence and five users as well as one year's software maintenance. Additional options include Sophos Antivirus and Kerio Workspace for online collaboration and file storage, as well as the ability to add more users, oddly sold in five-user packs.
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