| Collax targets Microsoft Small Business Server |
Aug. 15, 2006
One hole in Linux's business offerings has been a drop-in, simple to use Linux back-end services server for SMBs (Small to Medium Businesses). Collax Inc. is trying to fill that hole. The Bedford Mass.-based company is doing this with the U.S. launch of its Collax Business Server.
Collax, with very experienced officers such as CTO Boris Nalbach, formerly of Novell and SUSE, had been providing SMB servers on its own appliance servers for some time in Germany. In both the hardware platforms and the new software-only Collax Business Server, the company has two goals -- slim its Linux down to include only the best-of-breed server application; and make both the operating system and applications as easy to manage as possible, through the use of a unified web-based console.
How easy? Collax's goal for its SMB customers is to make it so easy that day-to-day administrators won't need to know Linux at all. In short, it's meant to be a truly turnkey system.
The administrator doesn't even deal with graphical KDE or GNOME, much less a character-based, interface. Instead, the administrator deals with the management GUI.
The basic package includes all the usual Linux server basics: Samba for Windows file serving; Apache for Web serving; Squid for Web proxy; and postfix for email. These are then integrated, using LDAP, into a cohesive whole. The company also updates the Linux and programs about once every six months. This is done to make sure that the system as a whole always works without giving the customer or the reseller any worries about keeping the correct blend of software libraries and programs in sync.
If you want more, Collax gives customers the option of adding virus protection; Internet filtering with Cobion Orange Filter, to keep users from looking at fantasy football stats instead of accounting spreadsheets; IPSec-based VPN (virtual private network); OpenExchange groupware; or a Cypheus-based fax client and server solution for Windows users.
In the U.S. market, Collax is looking for solution providers and resellers to join its Collax Charter Partner Program.
"We're providing an alternative to help solution providers tap into the rapidly-growing Linux market and reduce their dependence on Microsoft," said Collax CEO Olaf Jacobi.
"Locking in a few key channel partners through our Charter Partner Program will help with sales coverage across the country. Customers can count on local service -- as all of our products will be sold and supported by partners -- along with the technical resources of Collax," Jacobi added.
"In Europe," according to Jacobi, "80 percent of [the company's] channel partners are also Microsoft SBS (Small Business Server) partners. They're adding Collax to their mix for several reasons.
"These," said Jacobi, "include customer demand for a solution that doesn't lock them into Microsoft, differentiation from other resellers and system integrators who offer nothing but Microsoft solutions, and," never to be sneezed at, "a far higher margin."
Jacobi also sees Collax as offering resellers two different value propositions. For small customers, Collax has its server appliances. Since these can be 100 percent remotely managed, the partner can get a continuing revenue stream from management while the customer doesn't need to devote any man-hours to management, according to Jacobi. For medium sized customers, who often want to work with a specific hardware vendor such as HP or IBM, the software solution is the better option, he says. And, of course, integrators who also do their own white-boxes can pre-install the Server software on homebrew servers.
Andi Mann, senior analyst at Enterprise Management Associates, said "Collax offers a compelling story. They are targeting big areas of growth in an area that is limited by pain. With the growing adoption of Linux-based technology, the time is right for an all-in-one solution for the SMB market, which is just what Collax is offering."
Availability
The entire Collax product line is currently available to the company's channel partners A free trial version is available now for download from the company's website, here.
Prices for a ten user, one year subscription start at $495 for the Collax Business Server, $380 for the Collax Security Gateway, and $735 for the Collax Open-Xchange Server. The 5-user version, for the very smallest of businesses, is free.
-- Steven J. Vaughan-Nichols
Do you have comments on this story?
Talkback here
NOTE: Please post your comments regarding our articles using the above link. Be sure to use this article's title as the "Subject" in your posts. Before you create a new thread, please check to see if a discussion thread is already running on the article you plan to comment on. Thanks!
(Click here for further information)
|
|
|
7 Advantages of D2D Backup
For decades, tape has been the backup medium of choice. But, now, disk-to-disk (D2D) backup is gaining in favor. Learn why you should make the move in this whitepaper.
4 Legal Reasons to Control Internet Access
The Internet is obviously a valuable resource for many organizations. However, many are exposed to legal liability concerns because they fail to control Internet access. Learn if you're safe in this white paper.
Rapidly Resolve J2EE Application Problems
Whether you are in the process of building J2EE applications or have J2EE applications already running in production, you must ensure that they deliver the expected ROI. Learn how in this white paper.
Load Testing 2.0 for Web 2.0
There are many unknowns in stress testing Web 2.0 applications. Find out how to test the performance of Web 2.0 in this white paper.
Build Better Games Online
For the game infrastructure providers, life is complex. Making money from games has become more complicated. Why? Find out in this white paper.
Building a Virtual Infrastructure from Servers to Storage
This white paper discusses the virtual storage solutions that reduce cost, increase storage utilization, and address the challenges of backing up and restoring Server environments.
Gaining Faster Wireless Connections with WiMAX
Welcome to what is quickly becoming the hyperconnected world where anything that would benefit from being connected to the network will be connected. Learn more in this white paper.
Is Your Desktop a Security Threat?
The new wave of sophisticated crimeware not only targets specific companies, but also targets desktops and laptops as backdoor entryways into those business’ operations and resources. Learn how to stay safe in this white paper.
Increasing SAN Reliability by 100 Percent
Storage area networks (SAN) are a strong part of storage plans. Learn how to increase your reliability and uptime by 100 percent in this case study.
|
|
|
|
|
news feed