EGroupware


EGroupware is free open-source groupware software intended for businesses from small to enterprises. Its primary functions allow users to manage contacts, appointments, projects and to-do lists. EGroupware is based on PHP.
The projects spreads its software under the terms of GNU General Public License.
It is used either via its native web-interface, making access platform-independent, or by using different supported groupware clients, such as Kontact, Novell Evolution, or Microsoft Outlook. It can also be used by mobile phone or PDA via SyncML.
It currently has translations for more than 25 languages, including right-to-left language support. It depends on a standard X-AMP System and as such requires no specific operating system. Most popular internet browsers are supported for use as web based clients.

History

EGroupware is the most current manifestation of a chain of projects. The original project was called webdistro. In 2000 development on the project phpgroupware began, which was based on webdistro; and in 2003 the EGroupware fork was born. EGroupware has a very pronounced community character compared with its predecessors.
There is an EGroupware constitution, adopted in 2005, which guarantees freedom and security to the community and establishes admin elections.
For a short time Tine 2.0 was an official subproject of EGroupware. The goal of the subproject was the development of future technologies for the EGroupware project. Due to internal disagreements, the projects EGroupware and Tine 2.0 had separated from each other in February 2008.
Since July 2009 the first professional Version of EGroupware is available. It is being sold as a software subscription. This product line, called „EGroupware Premium Line“ includes a maintenance agreement for the source code and corresponding RPMs, that enables automatic updates.
Version 14.2 ist is available since December 2014. E-Share-Option: Since version 14.2 EGroupware Filemanager offers a filesharing option for an easy data exchange. It includes, for example, the option to send links to read or edit files to persons that do not use EGroupware. Beside that, files can be moved via drag and drop. Filemanager is used as an alternative to the filehosting service Dropbox. Home Screen: The Home Screen is a virtual pinboard, that makes important contacts, projects or tasks always available for the user. Mobile Template: The third update in 14.2 is the mobile template, that has been optimized for small screens and touch handling. It enables the usage of EGroupware on tablets and supports swipe gestures and an adaptation of the format while turning the device.
For 2016 the Release of version 16.1 is scheduled. It will for example include a new calendar and further improvements of the mobile template.

Main features

EGroupware is being developed in PHP and therefore platform independent. Several open source databases or Microsoft SQL Server are usable. Authentication can occur via private user accounts in SQL or LDAP, or an external system, for example Mailserver or Active Directory Server.
Comparable programmes are proprietary groupware servers such as Microsoft Exchange or Lotus Domino. EGroupware already offers the complete administration for various mail servers.
List of mail servers:
EGroupware can be synchronised with Apple- and Android devices. Appointments, addressbook entries and tasks from Infolog application can be synchronised. ESync and CalDAV are thereby used as protocols.

Literature