looking for enterprise software solution

[DaveC426913]

I'm exploring possible enterprise-level software solutions for event scheduling within our company.

I want a system that can be customized for our particular internal use. We use it to communicate about- administrate- and control- events surrounding our webcasts.

We are currently using eGroupWare (formerly phpGroupware). It is an Opensource solution using PHP and mysql to provide a framework of tools to produce application modules such as calendars, contact lists and event scheduling.

While it would be nice to stay with the existing system, it is not well documented or supported, and is hampering our efforts to expand.

Though I would like to stay with something PHP/mysql-based.


Does anyone have any suggestions as to what I might take a look at?

[Evo]

You don't use outlook? I would think most big companies do, I've worked for 3 fortune 100 companies and that's what is used for event scheduling.

Really simple.

[ComputerGeek]

bah... outlook/exchange is lock-in-ware.

if you use the ical calendaring standard, you can use many different calendaring solutions...

I THINK Suse has an enterprise solution that is all OSS stuff, and Ximian has some stuff that might fit the bill.

Edit... woops, I forgot that Novell bought Suse and Ximian.... well, even better, you get a commercially supported system... you could use groupwise.

[Evo]

bah... outlook/exchange is lock-in-ware.

if you use the ical calendaring standard, you can use many different calendaring solutions...

I THINK Suse has an enterprise solution that is all OSS stuff, and Ximian has some stuff that might fit the bill.

Edit... woops, I forgot that Novell bought Suse and Ximian.... well, even better, you get a commercially supported system... you could use groupwise.I was expecting a flood of outraged posts by now that I suggested Outlook. :tongue:

Groupwise is a good suggestion, I have one client that uses it, they're a small company and he likes it.

[dduardo]

Here are a couple of options:

http://www.phprojekt.com/
http://www.opengroupware.org/

If you use opengroupware there is actually a plugin to have it work in ximian evolution

I'm sure you can find more online. All I did was a google search for "open source groupware"

[DaveC426913]

OK, I'll look into Groupwise, phpprojekt and opengroupware. Thanks.
I'll have to ensure that they are better solutions than the one I've currently got though. eg. if they suffer form lack of documentation or support the way eGroupWare does, then that won't be a good solution.
Unfortunately, this is not my area of expertise, which is why I'll need good support to get off and running.
I'm not sure what Suse or Zimian are. If it's not PHP/mysql on a (Linux)FreeBSD box, then I'll have trouble selling my IT guy on it.

[dduardo]

You can use Evolution on FreeBSD or Linux. It is just a client similar to Outlook (The full version). There is support for Colaboration servers like Exchange and Groupwise.

http://www.gnome.org/projects/evolution/

[Anttech]

Groupwise is a good suggestion, I have one client that uses it, they're a small company and he likes it.

We are a >1billion $ company and we were using Groupwise.. not anymore tho, we use exchange/outlook.. works good

[graphic7]

You may also want to take a look at Lotus Domino (Notes) or Sun's Java Communications Suite. I've seen both used by many, many Fortune 100 companies (obviously, Exchange is in that area, too). Sun's Java Communication Suite is now free for commerical usage (excluding support, if you desire -- I'd highly recommend it as the Communications Suite is rather complex and highly customizable to fit your needs):

http://www.sun.com/software/javaenterprisesystem/communications_suite/index.xml

Sun's Communications Suite does have a Red Hat Linux port, if you want to go the Linux route. I'd recommend a Solaris solution, though, if possible.

Disclaimer: I've worked with Lotus Domino, Sun's Communications Suite, and Solaris in the past.