In the IT world today, there are many reasons why Linux and other Open Source solutions can replace closed source products from Microsoft and other vendors. When it comes right down to it though, the software that's chosen in business is the software that provides the most value to the business.

Value comes in many forms, not all is summed up in dollars and cents. Whether it be lower license costs, access to the source code, or getting an offering that doesn't exist on another platform, businesses pick the software that meets their needs the best.

On the server side, Linux's compelling business case rests on its ability to run on inexpensive hardware, its general stability and robustness, its low license fees, the large and growing number of applications that run on it, and the large number of vendors providing cost-effective support.

On the client side, however, Linux still faces challenges, such as the scarcity of line-of-business productivity applications that run natively on the platform, and in particular, groupware. To succeed, Linux-based groupware offerings must provide at least the same level of business value that customers have come to expect from the offerings offered by the Windows platform.

Groupware Requirements
Groupware is more than just e-mail. Features such as group scheduling, shared contact management, access control, auditing, robust backup/recovery, and stability are all important. The solution should be integrated so users aren't confronted with multiple tools: one to compose and read their e-mail and another to book a meeting with a co-worker on another floor.

The product should allow for sharing contact information including access and modification control. The ability to schedule meetings easily and effectively, including searching co-worker's calendars and tracking responses is required. The solution should be easy to use and present a familiar interface to the end user.

Security and stability are paramount as companies deal with the ever-increasing flood of spam, e-mail viruses, and potentially the new requirements presented by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act in the United States. Finally, the solution should include a desktop client with off-line support that runs on both Windows and Linux, a Web client interface, and PDA synchronization. A Linux solution that fulfills these requirements will meet or exceed the business value of current Windows solutions.

Groupware Market Snapshot
The current groupware market leaders are Microsoft's Outlook/Exchange and IBM's Lotus Notes/Domino. According to IDC, the collaboration software market is projected to be worth $2.5 billion in 2005, with both Microsoft and IBM roughly equal in terms of market share at about 40% each, and a bunch of other companies battling it out for the remaining 20%. For Linux-based offerings to capture part of this market, they will have to provide compelling reasons for businesses to switch. These reasons include:

• lower software license fees (including the zero license cost offerings provided by some Open Source products)
• higher availability due to the software being less susceptible to viruses/attacks
• integration with other products

License cost is an important factor, but companies considering the switch to a Linux-based groupware alternative must consider more than just license fees. Additional costs companies will face with such a move include end-user retraining, labor costs for consulting services (research, implementation, support), potential new hardware purchases, and the impact that the migration will have while continuing to provide other IT functions.

According to Microsoft's own estimates, it will cost approximately $150 per mailbox to upgrade from Exchange Server 5.5 to Exchange Server 2003. This cost typically includes Active Directory structure planning, new licensing fees, and new server hardware.

According to the same estimates, it will cost approximately the same amount to migrate to a completely new system. Considering that all support for Exchange Server 5.5 terminates at the end of 2005 (except for security hot-fixes) the time is ripe for companies to consider alternatives to the forced upgrade. As more low-cost Linux offerings appear on the market that provide high-quality, robust, secure, and effective groupware functionality, another roadblock to Linux adoption on the desktop seems to be evaporating.

The Case for Cross-Platform Software
A wholesale switch from Windows to Linux is a daunting proposition for many companies. One strategy that's being adopted to smooth this transition is to use software with a consistent look-and-feel that runs on both Windows and Linux. This approach accomplishes a couple key things. First, it ensures that users can become comfortable with the product in a familiar environment and, second, it enables a smoother transition when it comes time to switch operating systems. Products that exemplify this strategy include Mozilla's Firefox browser and the OpenOffice productivity suite. A key benefit here is reduced end-user retraining costs. Cross-platform offerings also provide other benefits, including staged migration and support for heterogeneous environments.

In an interview, Shanthi Nair of Degree Controls, a Milford, NH-based electrical engineering firm, remarked, "First and foremost, satisfying the end user is the most important thing, and group calendaring functionality is critical. We used Exchange primarily for that feature. We are only interested in a low-cost solution that will enable all of our users, both Windows and Linux, to access this functionality."

Current Linux-Based Groupware Offerings
The current solutions for groupware on the Linux desktop generally fall into four categories:

• Solutions that are web-based, providing a server and relying on the browser for client functionality
• Solutions that provide a Linux server as a replacement for Exchange and require either a browser or Outlook for the client
• Solutions that are completely Linux-based requiring no software from Microsoft
• Solutions that are cross-platform providing the same functionality on all desktop platforms

Web-Only
There are many offerings for browser-based collaboration software, including Open Source groupware like the Hula project (sponsored by Novell) and hosted solutions provided by companies like intranets.com. Most Open Source projects fall into this category (including projects like egroupware, a PHP-based groupware suite). This class of groupware provides a server that may or may not be hosted, and requires only a Web browser for end-user access.