Compliant and FOSS Alternative to Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace
2023/11/13
This article was submitted by ZEXTRAS, exhibitor 2023
In recent years, there has been a high demand for email and collaboration solutions, especially after the pandemic. Many businesses and organizations have had to adapt to remote work and find ways to efficiently communicate and collaborate with their teams. According to a survey by Statista, the number of daily active users on Microsoft Teams increased from 32 million in March 2020 to 145 million in April 2021, showcasing the growing need for these solutions.
One alternative to popular platforms like Google Workspace and Microsoft 365 is Zextras Carbonio Community Edition (Carbonio CE). What sets Carbonio CE apart is not only its open source and free nature but also its compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and other regulations. This is crucial for organizations that need to ensure the security and privacy of their data, especially in the current geopolitical climate where data sovereignty is a concern.
Carbonio CE offers a user-friendly interface and experience for both system administrators and end users. In the past, admins had to install and configure various backend mechanisms separately, resulting in a complex and inconvenient setup. Carbonio CE simplifies this process by providing a convenient way to integrate all the necessary administrative components into an Admin Panel.
With the end of support for Zimbra Open-Source Edition (OSE) approaching on December 31, 2023, organizations using Zimbra OSE may be looking for an alternative. Carbonio CE emerges as the best alternative to Zimbra after Zimbra EOL. Sticking with Zimbra OSE may expose your server to vulnerabilities and security risks. Carbonio CE offers a secure and reliable solution. Carbonio CE as a free and open-source product that shares many similarities to the Zimbra structure is a perfect solution for Zimbra admins who are already familiar with the structure.
When exploring open-source alternatives, Carbonio CE stands out among the options available. It is platform agnostic, meaning it can be deployed on both on-premises and private/public clouds. Additionally, it ensures full compliance with local data protection regulations such as the GDPR in Europe, providing organizations with peace of mind when it comes to data protection and sovereignty.
Unlike other open-source solutions, Carbonio CE offers advanced features and functionalities. Its web interface is feature-rich and customizable, providing an enhanced user experience. It supports multiple/shared address books and calendars, enabling efficient collaboration within teams.
Furthermore, Carbonio CE goes beyond basic email, contacts, and calendars by offering a comprehensive file management system. With Carbonio CE Files, users can share and collaborate on files, version control, and even real-time editing using Libre Office integration.
Another key aspect that sets Carbonio CE apart is its integrated chat feature. While many other open-source solutions focus on basic functionalities, Carbonio CE includes a chat function that allows users to send text messages in 1:1 or group format. This enhances real-time communication and collaboration within the platform.
When comparing Carbonio CE to cloud solutions like Google Workspace and Microsoft 365, it becomes evident that Carbonio CE offers greater control and customization options. These cloud solutions cannot be deployed in on-premises data centers, which is a requirement for certain organizations bound by regulatory restrictions.
From a financial perspective, besides being 100% free and open source, Carbonio CE offers a favorable cost structure. By investing in on-premises infrastructure, organizations can achieve full ownership of their equipment and avoid recurring operational costs associated with cloud solutions.
In conclusion, email and collaboration solutions have become essential for businesses and organizations, particularly in the wake of the pandemic. Zextras Carbonio CE stands out as an alternative to popular platforms like Google Workspace and Microsoft 365, with an user-friendly interface and advanced features. Its open source and free nature, along with its compliance with GDPR and other regulations, make it a secure and reliable choice.
