Product Overview of Zimbra Collaboration
Zimbra Collaboration is a comprehensive, open-source messaging and collaboration solution designed to meet the communication and productivity needs of businesses, public sector organizations, and enterprises globally. Here’s an overview of what Zimbra does and its key features:
What Zimbra Does
Zimbra Collaboration is an all-in-one solution that integrates email, contacts, calendar, file-sharing, and task management. It is trusted by over 5,000 companies and public sector customers, serving more than 500 million end users across 140 countries. Zimbra can be deployed in various configurations, including traditional on-premises installations, private or public cloud deployments, or as a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) offering through Zimbra hosting providers.
Key Features and Functionality
Multi-Platform Access
Zimbra provides a rich and consistent user experience across multiple platforms, including smartphones, tablets, iPads, and desktop or laptop computers running Windows, Linux, or macOS. Users can access their mailboxes, contacts, calendars, tasks, and files from any device using the Zimbra Web client or the Zimbra Desktop application.
Email and Collaboration Tools
- Email Management: Zimbra offers full-featured email with advanced search capabilities, support for very large mailboxes, and integration with Microsoft Outlook.
- Calendar and Address Book: Personal, external, and shared calendars, as well as personal and shared address books and distribution lists.
- Task Management: Personal and shared task lists to enhance productivity.
- File Sharing: Secure file sharing with version control and online document editing capabilities through Zimbra Briefcase (introduced in Zimbra 10).
Unified Communications
- Zimbra Talk: Enables live chats, video conferences, and audio conversations using WebRTC and XMPP, ensuring maximum security. It supports group video meetings and screen sharing.
- Integration with Unified Communications Solutions: Out-of-the-box integration with Cisco and Mitel, and support for other unified communications solutions through an open API.
Security and Compliance
- Antispam and Antivirus: Fully incorporated antispam and antivirus capabilities to protect against malware and spam.
- Two-Factor Authentication and Encryption: Integration with third-party software for two-factor authentication, S/MIME for email encryption, and digital signatures. Support for Smartcard and Department of Defense Common Access Card (CAC).
Administration and Scalability
- Web-Based Administration Console: Easy-to-use console for IT administrators to manage access, policies, and settings securely from anywhere.
- CLI Administration: Powerful command-line interface for batch changes and personalized customization.
- Role-Based Delegated Administration: Simplifies administration by allowing role-based access control.
- Scalability: Zimbra scales both vertically by adding more system resources and horizontally by adding more servers.
Extensibility and Customization
- Zimlets: A mechanism for extending Zimbra functionality, integrating with external applications such as Salesforce.com, WebEx, and unified communication platforms.
- Active Directory and LDAP Integration: Supports Active Directory and LDAP integration, including SPNEGO protocol for Single Sign-On (SSO).
Backup and Recovery
- Zimbra Collaboration Backup & Restore Tool: Enhanced backup and restore capabilities, especially with the new backup solution in Zimbra 10, which replaces the previous NG Backup and offers improved disaster recovery features.
Additional Features
- Mobile Sync: Supports the latest devices with improved calendar synchronization, ActiveSync versions, and mobile device security policies.
- Document Management: Integration with Nextcloud or OwnCloud, and the new Zimbra Briefcase in Zimbra 10, which offers high-fidelity document previews, version control, and online document editing.
Zimbra Collaboration is renowned for its flexibility, security, and cost-effectiveness, making it a preferred choice for organizations seeking a robust and integrated messaging and collaboration solution.