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Linux-based messaging vendor Scalix Corporation announced late last week a wireless solution designed to extend its e-mail and calendaring software to mobile devices.
Developed in partnership with enterprise mobility solutions vendor Notify Technology Corporation, the Scalix Wireless Solution provides wireless access and synchronization of e-mail 
, calendar, address book and PIM data and supports all wireless devices and carriers.
"Today's generation of wireless e-mail solutions often limit customer choice by dictating the device and carrier that must be used," said Julie Farris, Scalix founder and chief strategy officer.
"The Scalix Wireless Solution gives IT departments and users the freedom to tailor a solution according to their needs. This is a continuation of Scalix's client of choice architecture that helps customers avoid lock-in to a specific vendor technology."
Cross-Carrier Support
The new software includes advanced wireless synchronization and access to all Scalix mailbox information, including e-mails, calendar, contacts and tasks. Users can read, compose, reply, forward and delete e-mails, view and edit attachments, and maintain calendar and contacts.
Users can also schedule meetings, accept or decline meeting requests, schedule automated wireless data synchronization, and perform robust filtering using the device of their choice.
The solution features Advanced Encryption Standard/Triple Data Encryption Standard encryption and Secure Socket Layer connectivity. A Web-based console is designed to help users administrate by consolidating tasks including server administration, as well as device and user provisioning.
Wireless Interoperability
Scalix Wireless transmits data directly to wireless devices, with no intermediate data repositories, and all data is sent fully encrypted. The wireless solution 
communicates directly with the Scalix Server and all organizational data is stored behind the customer firewall.
The messaging platform blends with open and proprietary infrastructures, including Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT) Exchange, Outlook and Active Directory to assure seamless migration and coexistence with no end-user disruption.
Its Web e-mail client, Scalix Web Access, runs on Internet Explorer, Mozilla and Firefox, running on Windows, Linux, UNIX and Macintosh desktops.
Necessary Move
Yankee Group analyst Gene Signorini told LinuxInsider that Scalix's move is not as much about open-source as it is about necessity. "Scalix had to do this to be legitimate," he said. "If you are going to be an enterprise class e-mail application, there has to be a wireless story as part of the offering."
Still, Signorini said Scalix is competing on a different basis than RIM and Good Technologies. Its competition is Microsoft Exchange and Lotus Notes, both proprietary solutions, both of which already offer a wireless component.
The Scalix Wireless Solution supports all BlackBerry and wireless PalmOS devices, including the popular Treo, along with a wide variety of Windows Mobile PDAs such as the HP (NYSE: HPQ) iPAQ and Smartphones from Samsung and Motorola (NYSE: MOT) . It supports all major wireless carriers including Cingular , Nextel, Sprint (NYSE: S) , T-Mobile and Verizon and any Palm or Windows Mobile PDAs over 802.11x networks.
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