Linux-based Exchange replacement on tap

Messaging vendor PostPath Monday added a variety of client options and upgraded the mobile support in its Linux-based replica of Microsoft Exchange server.

The company released version 3.0 of PostPath Server with support for Blackberry Enterprise Server (BES) and Microsoft ActiveSync, which is used to push e-mail, calendaring and other services out to mobile devices.

PostPath also improved performance within the server to support the new mobile capabilities.

PostPath is designed as a replica of Exchange at the network level so it looks just like Exchange to other Exchange servers and to other software that plugs into the server such as Outlook and Active Directory.

Outlook as been a primary client option for PostPath users, but the PostPath Webmail client option is being positioned as a replacement for Outlook. Webmail is an AJAX browser-based client with access to e-mail, calendar, contacts and other collaboration data. It works with Internet Explorer, Firefox and Safari.

“With our technology for interoperability and co-existence, people on Webmail can truly interact with those on Outlook and even on Exchange,” says Duncan Greatwood, CEO of PostPath. “They can pull in free/busy information for a user hosted on Exchange, they can call the global access list off of Active Directory.”

Users also can get at PostPath Server 3.0 with a variety of mobile devices. The support for BES includes the Pearl and Curve devices. PostPath also has added a synch cache to the server to support large numbers of BlackBerry devices without significantly impacting server performance.

PostPath’s ActiveSync support adds Palm/Treo, Motorola Q range, Symbian, Nokia, Windows Mobile, Helios, and Blackjack devices, High Tech Computer (HTC) device. The Apple iPhone does not currently support ActiveSync, but the devices browser can be used to access the PostPath server.

PostPath also added other features including automatic Active Directory configuration detection, a standards-based hot-backup and hot-restore capabilities, and the option to use PostPath management tools as a replacement for Microsoft-branded tools.

PostPath 3.0 is priced starting at $60 per user.