Are you in the market for a new messaging system? Are regulatory requirements forcing you to look for alternatives to your current solution? Before you make your choice, be sure to read the white paper published by Osterman Research titled, Comparing OpenText Enterprise Messaging, Microsoft Exchange Server, Microsoft 365, and Google Workspace.

We’ll give you the summary here to get you on your way to making an informed decision about a messaging platform for your organization.

Migration Misery

Anyone working in IT probably shudders when they see the word ‘migration’ and rightfully so. Migration from one messaging system to another can be time-consuming and resource-intensive for an organization.

Since work looks a bit different in our modern digital economy, enterprise messaging has evolved to more than mere email. While email remains a core pillar of communication for most businesses, disparate methods of working require other forms of corporate connection like meeting scheduling, task tracking, chat, etc. Added levels of complexity in a messaging system result in added levels of complexity with migration.

 Migration means friction since no migration is a simple process. When an organization migrates its messaging system, employees there will likely experience a disruption in their work process. They must then learn a new way of working that can result in lost productivity and increased expenses. Therefore, if you must migrate, choosing the right platform is important.

Let’s briefly compare the history and background of the four messaging systems and what they offer customers:

Microsoft Exchange 2019 (on-premises)

Microsoft Exchange Server was introduced in the mid-1990s. This platform has been around for a while, but Microsoft prefers that their customers migrate to the cloud, pushing Exchange lower on the priority list. Introduced as a reliable enterprise-class email, Microsoft 365 is now taking over with its cloud infrastructure. The migration from one version of Exchange to the next is notoriously difficult and time consuming.

Microsoft Exchange Online in Microsoft 365

Exchange Online in Microsoft 365 was introduced in mid-2011. It was an attempt to take a piece of Google’s success with Gmail and other cloud offerings. Microsoft Exchange Online has been a priority for Microsoft and it gets new capabilities before Exchange Server. Microsoft 365 is a wide offering from Microsoft, delivering productivity and collaboration tools in the cloud.

Google Workspace

Google Workspace is solely on the cloud and was introduced in the mid-2000s. It is Google’s email and collaboration platform aimed at business and enterprise customers. Google Workspace is run entirely in a web browser, making it an appealing option to avoid client software. It also introduced the world to real-time co-editing and collaboration on documents.

OpenText Enterprise Messaging

Novell GroupWise was introduced in the mid-1990s that came from technology Novell acquired from WordPerfect. It was meant to serve as an integrated messaging and collaboration platform that offers customers choices in support for the platform and a wider technical ecosystem. After being acquired from Micro Focus, GroupWise was introduced as an integrated suite of compliance, management, chat-based administration capabilities. To continue the investment and commitment to customers, OpenText acquired Micro Focus to keep Enterprise Messaging the powerhouse of collaboration it is.

To get the full comparison between the platforms, you’ll have to read the report yourself. Here are the categories it compares:

• What Each Platform Offers
• Support for Clients and Devices
• Delivery Mechanisms
• Upgrading to New Versions
• Archiving and eDiscovery Capabilities
• Email Security and Encrypted Messaging
• Preventing Data Loss
• Regulatory Reaction and Concerns
• Roadmap for the Future
• Cost Model

Learn more about different messaging systems in the full report.

Learn more about secure email and social collaboration.

A Bit on OpenText Collaboration Solutions

OpenText Collaboration solutions offer a wide range of tools that can help securely bring your people, projects, and processes together. OpenText email, social, and team collaboration provides a single, integrated software ecosystem that offers everything your teams need to stay connected.

Microsoft 365 and Other Messaging Systems Alternatives

OpenText has a comprehensive bundle of enterprise solutions that enable flexible, collaborative work environments while giving people the power to control them. Our solutions empower remote workers with access to the right data, at the right time, from any device. Plus, they are some of the most secure products in the world.

Whatever your reasons for not using Microsoft 365, OpenText has a solution that can fill your information management and governance needs. From creation to disposal, OpenText can provide you with the capabilities to manage your data effectively, while converging at the crossroads of collaboration and security.

Enable your teams to collaborate with these alternative solutions:

Unified Endpoint Management

OpenText ZENworks Suite enables you to manage thousands of devices and applications, assets, and an unending list of software patches, allowing you to keep up with the constantly changing, new requests every day.

Data Protection

Data protection products from OpenText can help you ensure your organization will have secure, compliant backups of all company data from a single management point. A fast restoration ensures operations quickly return to normal, minimizing revenue loss and maintaining reputation.

Collaboration

You can help your business teams work together securely and seamlessly, regardless of location. OpenText Email, Social, and Team Collaboration solutions provide a single, integrated software ecosystem that offers everything your teams need to stay connected.

Enterprise File Sync and Share

Enterprise file sharing requires high levels of security, accountability, thorough controls, and other features that empower IT to protect the enterprise. OpenText provides an approach that offers true enterprise file sharing, real-time collaborative co-editing, secure mobile access, and more.

Be sure to connect with OpenText on Twitter and LinkedIn.

We’d love to hear your thoughts on this blog. Comment below.

The Online Community Team

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