Ubuntu gets into unified comms, chides Microsoft

Says new suite more sweet for SMBs

By Kelly Fiveash • Get more from this author

Posted in Networks, 7th August 2008 11:38 GMT

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Canonical has signed an agreement with Unison Technologies to offer a complete unified communications suite for small to medium-sized firms running Ubuntu Linux.

Unison’s software, which will be sold via Canonical’s online store, will run on Ubuntu Server and under beta for Ubuntu Desktop Edition.

Ubuntu’s sponsor Canonical unsurprisingly took the opportunity to have a pop at software propriety beast Microsoft.

“With Unison now available on Ubuntu, businesses at last have a class-leading solution for messaging and unified communications – removing another barrier to widespread adoption of Linux,” it said. “Given costs just a fraction of a PC with Microsoft Windows, Office and Outlook, the combination of Ubuntu and Unison represents a serious alternative for business IT.”

Unison chief exec Michael Choupak agreed that running his software on Linux-based Ubuntu was “far more affordable than the Microsoft alternative” for SMBs that have between 20 and 1000 staff.

The software bundle includes email, instant messaging, contacts and calendar apps - these can run on a single Unison server which can then run on top of Ubuntu Server.

Businesses interested in parting with a bit of cash in exchange for the suite have the option of coughing up £25 ($50) per user per year or £18,000 ($36,000) for a perpetual one-off licence with unlimited users.

Financial details of the Unison/Canonical deal were kept secret. This way for more from the two firms. ®

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