TekBudda wrote: > >> >>> #2. you guys were so helpful on my previous question regarding a >>> customer relation management system. I looked at afew of the options >>> and even downloaded Sugar but these were way too much. Would it be >>> possible to get a program like “Kontact” to be accessed at the same >>> time from about 5-6 different users here in the office?? We want all >>> users here inside to be running off of the same calendar and also >>> have the same contact/supplier base to work from. Also through the >>> email we could all use the same e-mail to send globally and receive >>> globally. Are there any options or avenues that im not seeing?? >> <snip> >> >> You are discussing shared address books and shared calendars. Gustin >> has some extensive experience with shared calendars. (I'm betting he >> will post a response to this thread... ) I have been recently >> searching for a shared/common address book solution for myself and >> have only been partially successful. >> I have tried nearly all of the options, and currently I manage a couple of different ones. I have to say the the whole space is cluttered with mediocrity, including the big expensive options like Exchange. It is disappointing that all I can say about the clear leader is that they are merely good. In my opinion Google Apps is clear leader in this space but there is so much more room for improvement.
>> The moment you start thinking of a central repository for contact >> information, you find yourself looking at an LDAP server. In theory >> this is what it is meant for. In practice it CAN do this, and more. >> But the problem comes in terms of what client you are intending on >> using to talk to the LDAP server. ThunderBird can read from an LDAP >> server but cannot write - so no changing your contacts via >> ThunderBird. Kontact should be able to read/write from LDAP. And the >> inconsistencies extend to the various clients. If you get to select >> the client tool, this may not be an issue. LDAP is a somewhat >> difficult thing to get set up, as it is based on terminology and >> technology that was designed before the massive proliferation of the >> Internet. (X.500 is the base concept). There is lots of >> documentation out there on getting LDAP up and running, and really it >> isn't that difficult. But understanding the terms and the problem >> area is not for a novice. Still, a little effort goes a long ways >> here. (I might be willing to plan an LDAP workshop if there were >> enough interest.) >> >> I believe the easiest alternative at the moment is to make use of >> Google Calendar and Google Contacts. There are plugins to make use of "provider" is the name of the calender plugin (makes use of the google calender in Mozilla Sunbird). It works quite well. Zindus is the name of the Mozilla Thunderbird plugin that synchronizes your address book with Google contacts. Having said this, for end user use, I would recommend sticking with the browser based interface. These plugins add a layer of complexity that sometimes goes wrong. >> these for most mail clients. The negative side of this is that you >> are giving Google your calendar and contact information and it is >> known they'll make use of this to personalize ads for you. I >> personally don't believe Google has a need for this info, and have so >> far resisted using these services. But I can't deny the convenience >> they bring to the table. I can't really add to much to this other than to say it works well, and for $50 per user per year for the business version it is tough to beat on either price or performance. I have tried a large number of alternatives, and the Google offerings are the easiest to use. For more info start here: http://www.google.com/apps/intl/en/group/index.html I currently manage a number of different solutions including MS Exchange, and right now Google tops them all in spite of my privacy reservations. It is in fact what I use at home with the Mrs. > > The only other thing I can really add to this is that I was test driving > Sugar at my last job for use in a call centre to share information, > calendars, etc. It never did get off the ground and likely won't under > the current dill-hole management. One good thing is that is runs on any > platform. > > I have not looked into this very deeply at this point, but perhaps you > could look at Zimbra. It has many of the features you are looking at & > if you are worried about client access, they offer clients as well. > Zimbra may do what you want. I have used in the past and was under whelmed. > This is a reach but may suit your needs...who knows. You want also want > to look at a product like sharepoint (ECM I believe). I am not > suggesting you use SP, but there may be something out there for you. I > have come across a few out there. O3Spaces is the only one coming to > mind right now, but try a google for open source sharepoint and they > should come up. > A more open and cost effective option would be mind touch (http://www.mindtouch.com/). Sharepoint should be avoided as its purpose is to achieve vendor lock in. Sharepoint is Microsoft's new Windows (IE. a closed platform that you deliver applications on top of). Hth,
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