Group Dynamics

Outlook Connected

Kopano Core enables the native use of Microsoft Outlook (2013 and higher) with the ActiveSync protocol. The Z-Push software allows smartphone users to synchronize their email, contacts, calendar entries, and tasks.

The optional Kopano OL extension package is a native Component Object Model (COM) plugin that extends available functionality with collaborative features not supported by the ActiveSync transport implementation available in Microsoft Outlook. Kopano promises that Microsoft updates for Outlook will not interfere with the functionality provided by the extension.

Conclusions

Kopano presents itself as an extensive and mature groupware environment that fulfils almost all the wishes of admins and users. The proven Zarafa basis is an important asset on the one hand; on the other hand, the modern Mattermost and Meet add-ons are heading in the right direction. Unfortunately, mobile users in particular will find the support for smartphones incomplete. One hopes Kopano will continue to pursue the promising PWA approach.

Setting up a comprehensive groupware platform with all of the components it involves requires a great deal of time and in-depth Linux knowledge. If you can provide both, the reward for your efforts will be a stable system with a flexible client environment.