Novell GroupWise
Encyclopedia
GroupWise is a messaging and collaborative software
platform from Novell
that supports email
, calendaring, personal information management, instant messaging
, and document management. The platform consists of the client software, which is available for Windows
, Mac OS X
, and Linux
, and the server software, which is supported on Windows Server, NetWare
, and Linux
. The latest generation of the platform is GroupWise 8.
, and Windows
. There is a Windows client and a Java client for Linux
and Mac OS X
. Novell has delivered closer client feature parity in GroupWise 8. There are also GroupWise connectors for Microsoft Outlook
and Novell Evolution
.
GroupWise WebAccess provides users with most of the functionality of the desktop clients from a Web browser
. It also supports handheld/PDA access via the Web. The most current revision of GroupWise (8.0) includes license to GroupWise Mobile Server by Nokia
which enables wireless mail support for almost any mobile device. A new mobile gateway was released with ActiveSync
support in late 2010 to support iPhone
and Android .
The GroupWise Post Office Agent (POA) supports IMAP and SOAP access to user mailboxes, in addition to the native client. The GroupWise Internet Agent (GWIA) provides SMTP communication to other email systems, and also supports IMAP, POP3, SOAP, and iCalendar
access to user mailboxes. Additionally, special modules called gateways support direct connectivity to other groupware systems such as Microsoft Exchange Server
and IBM Lotus Domino
.
GroupWise includes instant messaging
since version 6.5. The solution is targeted specifically at the corporate market with features such as directory service
integration and SSL encryption. In addition to the Windows and Linux clients provided by Novell, the protocol is supported by Gossip, iChat
, and popular multiprotocol IM applications such as Kopete
, Pidgin
(previously known as GAIM) and Adium
. There is also a client available for Blackberry. Non-native clients will only work when SSL communication is enabled on the server.
The latest version is 8.0. It includes pre-bundled SUSE Linux Enterprise Server
, which can be used for running GroupWise at no additional cost.
GroupWise is included in the Novell Open Workgroup Suite and its precursors, the Novell Small Business Suite and the Novell Linux Small Business Suite.
suite, called "WordPerfect Library 1.0" which ran at the time on the Data General
and Amiga
platforms. The product was developed by WordPerfect Corporation in conjunction with some of their largest customers, including the US Department of Justice, as well as with the programming input of some individual system admins of smaller government agencies, like Eliot Lanes. WordPerfect Library did not include email or calendaring: it consisted of Personal Calendar, Editor, Notebook, Calculator, File Manager and Shell. In 1987, WordPerfect Library was extended to the PC platform in a DOS version.http://gwcheck.com/gtml/files/novsav/history_of_groupwise.html
In 1988, email and calendaring/scheduling debuted in the product, which was also rebranded as "WordPerfect Office 2.0".
1990 brought the release of WordPerfect Office 3.0, adding Macintosh and UNIX to the client mix and supporting multiple servers with cross-server email, calendaring and scheduling.
WordPerfect Office 3.1 was released in 1992, adding a Windows client and boasting the ability to work cross-platform on DOS, Windows, Macintosh, UNIX and VAX/VMS. Version 3.1 also added a remote capability for async or wireless connections.
Version 4.0 was released in 1993 with an entirely new interface and transitioning to a database technology for the message store. Other major features included task management, server-based rules, remote replication/synchronization, centralized administration of multiple servers, 32-bit server capability, simultaneous release on all platforms, and many other innovative additions that were firsts in the market. Gateways included SMTP, X.400, fax, pager, and PROFS.
WordPerfect was acquired by Novell in 1994, and the server components were ported to the NetWare network operating system. At the same time, WordPerfect Office was renamed GroupWise and integrated with Novell Directory Services (now known as Novell eDirectory
). In 1996, Novell sold most of the WordPerfect applications to Corel Corporation
, but decided to keep GroupWise.
GroupWise 4.1, the first Novell release, debuted in 1994, adding NLMs (Netware Loadable Modules) and gateways to offer extensive back-end capabilities. Other new features included World Wide Web links in objects, the ability for third-party developers to create and maintain items, tighter Netware integration and management, SNMP capabilities, live maintenance without the need to shut down the server, an integrated listserver, and the ability to access the system remotely via touch-tone telephone.
In 1996, GroupWise WebAccess was released as an add-on, providing internet-based access to GroupWise from a web browser.
GroupWise 5 in 1996 brought universal management of all types of messages and objects and full collaborative document management. GroupWise Imaging made scanned documents available as well. Integration with Novell Directory Services was also offered. Other notable features included conferencing, a Universal Mailbox, client/server functionality, and shared folders. At this time, some native client platforms were dropped at the time, notably the Macintosh client, preferring instead to offer support via the web-based client.
Version 5.2 added extensive Internet functionality in 1997, including IMAP4, LDAP, POP3, embedded URLs and native TCP/IP. GroupWise Workflow was also added to the product.
GroupWise 5.5 in 1998 enhanced all the basic groupware functions, added full-text indexing and enhanced support for internet standards and security.
In 2003, Novell utilized GroupWise Imaging, developed by Computhink
to make available extensive document imaging capabilities directly to the users of GroupWise 6 and 6.5.
With the release of GroupWise 6.5 SP1 in 2004, Linux was added to the list of platforms supported by the server components.
In 2006 GroupWise Mobile Server (based on the Nokia Intellisync software) was released allowing handheld devices running multiple platforms to synchronize email, contacts, calendar, and notes with GroupWise.
GroupWise 7 was launched in 2005, providing a totally new Windows client and WebAccess.
GroupWise 8, codenamed Bonsai, was released on Nov. 17, 2008. It brought even better client and added many new features like Calendar Publishing. See the Whats new documentation at http://www.novell.com/documentation/gw8/.
Groupwise 8 SP1 was released in August 2009.
Groupwise 8 SP2 was released in July 2010.
technology in 2010, prior to the launch of the next major GroupWise release (codenamed "Ascot") later in 2010.
Collaborative software
Collaborative software is computer software designed to help people involved in a common task achieve goals...
platform from Novell
Novell
Novell, Inc. is a multinational software and services company. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Attachmate Group. It specializes in network operating systems, such as Novell NetWare; systems management solutions, such as Novell ZENworks; and collaboration solutions, such as Novell Groupwise...
that supports email
Email
Electronic mail, commonly known as email or e-mail, is a method of exchanging digital messages from an author to one or more recipients. Modern email operates across the Internet or other computer networks. Some early email systems required that the author and the recipient both be online at the...
, calendaring, personal information management, instant messaging
Instant messaging
Instant Messaging is a form of real-time direct text-based chatting communication in push mode between two or more people using personal computers or other devices, along with shared clients. The user's text is conveyed over a network, such as the Internet...
, and document management. The platform consists of the client software, which is available for Windows
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Windows is a series of operating systems produced by Microsoft.Microsoft introduced an operating environment named Windows on November 20, 1985 as an add-on to MS-DOS in response to the growing interest in graphical user interfaces . Microsoft Windows came to dominate the world's personal...
, Mac OS X
Mac OS X
Mac OS X is a series of Unix-based operating systems and graphical user interfaces developed, marketed, and sold by Apple Inc. Since 2002, has been included with all new Macintosh computer systems...
, and Linux
Linux
Linux is a Unix-like computer operating system assembled under the model of free and open source software development and distribution. The defining component of any Linux system is the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released October 5, 1991 by Linus Torvalds...
, and the server software, which is supported on Windows Server, NetWare
Novell NetWare
NetWare is a network operating system developed by Novell, Inc. It initially used cooperative multitasking to run various services on a personal computer, with network protocols based on the archetypal Xerox Network Systems stack....
, and Linux
Linux
Linux is a Unix-like computer operating system assembled under the model of free and open source software development and distribution. The defining component of any Linux system is the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released October 5, 1991 by Linus Torvalds...
. The latest generation of the platform is GroupWise 8.
Summary
GroupWise can operate on a number of server and workstation platforms. Server platforms include NetWare, LinuxLinux
Linux is a Unix-like computer operating system assembled under the model of free and open source software development and distribution. The defining component of any Linux system is the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released October 5, 1991 by Linus Torvalds...
, and Windows
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Windows is a series of operating systems produced by Microsoft.Microsoft introduced an operating environment named Windows on November 20, 1985 as an add-on to MS-DOS in response to the growing interest in graphical user interfaces . Microsoft Windows came to dominate the world's personal...
. There is a Windows client and a Java client for Linux
Linux
Linux is a Unix-like computer operating system assembled under the model of free and open source software development and distribution. The defining component of any Linux system is the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released October 5, 1991 by Linus Torvalds...
and Mac OS X
Mac OS X
Mac OS X is a series of Unix-based operating systems and graphical user interfaces developed, marketed, and sold by Apple Inc. Since 2002, has been included with all new Macintosh computer systems...
. Novell has delivered closer client feature parity in GroupWise 8. There are also GroupWise connectors for Microsoft Outlook
Microsoft Outlook
Microsoft Outlook is a personal information manager from Microsoft, available both as a separate application as well as a part of the Microsoft Office suite...
and Novell Evolution
Novell Evolution
Evolution or Novell Evolution is the official personal information manager and workgroup information management tool for GNOME. It combines e-mail, calendar, address book, and task list management functions. It has been an official part of GNOME since version 2.8 in September 2004...
.
GroupWise WebAccess provides users with most of the functionality of the desktop clients from a Web browser
Web browser
A web browser is a software application for retrieving, presenting, and traversing information resources on the World Wide Web. An information resource is identified by a Uniform Resource Identifier and may be a web page, image, video, or other piece of content...
. It also supports handheld/PDA access via the Web. The most current revision of GroupWise (8.0) includes license to GroupWise Mobile Server by Nokia
Nokia
Nokia Corporation is a Finnish multinational communications corporation that is headquartered in Keilaniemi, Espoo, a city neighbouring Finland's capital Helsinki...
which enables wireless mail support for almost any mobile device. A new mobile gateway was released with ActiveSync
ActiveSync
ActiveSync is a mobile data synchronization technology and protocol developed by Microsoft, originally released in 1996. There are two implementations of the technology: one which synchronizes data and information with handheld devices with a specific desktop computer , and another technology,...
support in late 2010 to support iPhone
IPhone
The iPhone is a line of Internet and multimedia-enabled smartphones marketed by Apple Inc. The first iPhone was unveiled by Steve Jobs, then CEO of Apple, on January 9, 2007, and released on June 29, 2007...
and Android .
The GroupWise Post Office Agent (POA) supports IMAP and SOAP access to user mailboxes, in addition to the native client. The GroupWise Internet Agent (GWIA) provides SMTP communication to other email systems, and also supports IMAP, POP3, SOAP, and iCalendar
ICalendar
iCalendar is a computer file format which allows Internet users to send meeting requests and tasks to other Internet users, via email, or sharing files with an extension of .ics...
access to user mailboxes. Additionally, special modules called gateways support direct connectivity to other groupware systems such as Microsoft Exchange Server
Microsoft Exchange Server
Microsoft Exchange Server is the server side of a client–server, collaborative application product developed by Microsoft. It is part of the Microsoft Servers line of server products and is used by enterprises using Microsoft infrastructure products...
and IBM Lotus Domino
IBM Lotus Domino
Lotus Domino is an IBM server product that provides enterprise-grade e-mail, collaboration capabilities, and a custom application platform. Domino began life as Lotus Notes Server, the server component of Lotus Development Corporation's client-server messaging technology. It can be used as an...
.
GroupWise includes instant messaging
Instant messaging
Instant Messaging is a form of real-time direct text-based chatting communication in push mode between two or more people using personal computers or other devices, along with shared clients. The user's text is conveyed over a network, such as the Internet...
since version 6.5. The solution is targeted specifically at the corporate market with features such as directory service
Directory service
A directory service is the software system that stores, organizes and provides access to information in a directory. In software engineering, a directory is a map between names and values. It allows the lookup of values given a name, similar to a dictionary...
integration and SSL encryption. In addition to the Windows and Linux clients provided by Novell, the protocol is supported by Gossip, iChat
IChat
iChat is an instant messaging software application developed by Apple Inc. exclusively for its Mac OS X operating system. It has audio, video and screen-sharing capabilities as well as text messaging...
, and popular multiprotocol IM applications such as Kopete
Kopete
Kopete is a multi-protocol, free software instant messaging client. Although it can run in numerous environments, it was designed for and integrates with the KDE desktop environment...
, Pidgin
Pidgin (software)
Pidgin is an open-source multi-platform instant messaging client, based on a library named libpurple. Libpurple has support for many commonly used instant messaging protocols, allowing the user to log into various services from one application.The number of Pidgin users was estimated to be over 3...
(previously known as GAIM) and Adium
Adium
Adium is a free and open source instant messaging client for Mac OS X that supports multiple IM networks, including Windows Live Messenger, Yahoo! Messenger, Google Talk, AIM, ICQ, and XMPP. It supports many protocols through the libraries libezv , MGTwitterEngine , and libpurple...
. There is also a client available for Blackberry. Non-native clients will only work when SSL communication is enabled on the server.
The latest version is 8.0. It includes pre-bundled SUSE Linux Enterprise Server
SUSE Linux Enterprise Server
SUSE Linux Enterprise Server is a Linux distribution supplied by SUSE and targeted at the business market. It is targeted for servers, mainframes, and workstations but can be installed on desktop computers for testing as well. New major versions are released at an interval of 3-4 years, while...
, which can be used for running GroupWise at no additional cost.
GroupWise is included in the Novell Open Workgroup Suite and its precursors, the Novell Small Business Suite and the Novell Linux Small Business Suite.
History
GroupWise originated in 1986 with an extension of the WordPerfectWordPerfect
WordPerfect is a word processing application, now owned by Corel.Bruce Bastian, a Brigham Young University graduate student, and BYU computer science professor Dr. Alan Ashton joined forces to design a word processing system for the city of Orem's Data General Corp. minicomputer system in 1979...
suite, called "WordPerfect Library 1.0" which ran at the time on the Data General
Data General
Data General was one of the first minicomputer firms from the late 1960s. Three of the four founders were former employees of Digital Equipment Corporation. Their first product, the Data General Nova, was a 16-bit minicomputer...
and Amiga
Amiga
The Amiga is a family of personal computers that was sold by Commodore in the 1980s and 1990s. The first model was launched in 1985 as a high-end home computer and became popular for its graphical, audio and multi-tasking abilities...
platforms. The product was developed by WordPerfect Corporation in conjunction with some of their largest customers, including the US Department of Justice, as well as with the programming input of some individual system admins of smaller government agencies, like Eliot Lanes. WordPerfect Library did not include email or calendaring: it consisted of Personal Calendar, Editor, Notebook, Calculator, File Manager and Shell. In 1987, WordPerfect Library was extended to the PC platform in a DOS version.http://gwcheck.com/gtml/files/novsav/history_of_groupwise.html
In 1988, email and calendaring/scheduling debuted in the product, which was also rebranded as "WordPerfect Office 2.0".
1990 brought the release of WordPerfect Office 3.0, adding Macintosh and UNIX to the client mix and supporting multiple servers with cross-server email, calendaring and scheduling.
WordPerfect Office 3.1 was released in 1992, adding a Windows client and boasting the ability to work cross-platform on DOS, Windows, Macintosh, UNIX and VAX/VMS. Version 3.1 also added a remote capability for async or wireless connections.
Version 4.0 was released in 1993 with an entirely new interface and transitioning to a database technology for the message store. Other major features included task management, server-based rules, remote replication/synchronization, centralized administration of multiple servers, 32-bit server capability, simultaneous release on all platforms, and many other innovative additions that were firsts in the market. Gateways included SMTP, X.400, fax, pager, and PROFS.
WordPerfect was acquired by Novell in 1994, and the server components were ported to the NetWare network operating system. At the same time, WordPerfect Office was renamed GroupWise and integrated with Novell Directory Services (now known as Novell eDirectory
Novell eDirectory
Novell eDirectory is an X.500-compatible directory service software product initially released in 1993 by Novell for centrally managing access to resources on multiple servers and computers within a given network...
). In 1996, Novell sold most of the WordPerfect applications to Corel Corporation
Corel
Corel Corporation from the abbreviation is a computer software company headquartered in Ottawa, Ontario, that specializes in graphics processing, similar to Adobe Systems...
, but decided to keep GroupWise.
GroupWise 4.1, the first Novell release, debuted in 1994, adding NLMs (Netware Loadable Modules) and gateways to offer extensive back-end capabilities. Other new features included World Wide Web links in objects, the ability for third-party developers to create and maintain items, tighter Netware integration and management, SNMP capabilities, live maintenance without the need to shut down the server, an integrated listserver, and the ability to access the system remotely via touch-tone telephone.
In 1996, GroupWise WebAccess was released as an add-on, providing internet-based access to GroupWise from a web browser.
GroupWise 5 in 1996 brought universal management of all types of messages and objects and full collaborative document management. GroupWise Imaging made scanned documents available as well. Integration with Novell Directory Services was also offered. Other notable features included conferencing, a Universal Mailbox, client/server functionality, and shared folders. At this time, some native client platforms were dropped at the time, notably the Macintosh client, preferring instead to offer support via the web-based client.
Version 5.2 added extensive Internet functionality in 1997, including IMAP4, LDAP, POP3, embedded URLs and native TCP/IP. GroupWise Workflow was also added to the product.
GroupWise 5.5 in 1998 enhanced all the basic groupware functions, added full-text indexing and enhanced support for internet standards and security.
In 2003, Novell utilized GroupWise Imaging, developed by Computhink
Computhink
Computhink is a developer of document management, enterprise content management, records management, and document workflow software. It is headquartered in Lombard, Illinois.-History:Computhink was established in 1994 in Chicago, IL...
to make available extensive document imaging capabilities directly to the users of GroupWise 6 and 6.5.
With the release of GroupWise 6.5 SP1 in 2004, Linux was added to the list of platforms supported by the server components.
In 2006 GroupWise Mobile Server (based on the Nokia Intellisync software) was released allowing handheld devices running multiple platforms to synchronize email, contacts, calendar, and notes with GroupWise.
GroupWise 7 was launched in 2005, providing a totally new Windows client and WebAccess.
GroupWise 8, codenamed Bonsai, was released on Nov. 17, 2008. It brought even better client and added many new features like Calendar Publishing. See the Whats new documentation at http://www.novell.com/documentation/gw8/.
Groupwise 8 SP1 was released in August 2009.
Groupwise 8 SP2 was released in July 2010.
Future
In 2005, Novell announced a commitment to further develop its collaboration platform. The company has also announced that it will transition its GroupWise Mobile Server software to ActiveSyncActiveSync
ActiveSync is a mobile data synchronization technology and protocol developed by Microsoft, originally released in 1996. There are two implementations of the technology: one which synchronizes data and information with handheld devices with a specific desktop computer , and another technology,...
technology in 2010, prior to the launch of the next major GroupWise release (codenamed "Ascot") later in 2010.
See also
External links
- Novell GroupWise product page
- GWAVAcon GroupWise Conferences - Site for current and upcoming world conferences on Novell GroupWise.
- NGW List — a mailing list for GroupWise administrators
- GroupWise Advisor magazine(this magazine no longer exsists, link dead)
- GWCheck.com — Independent Source of Information for the GroupWise Community and GroupWise Blog
- Open Horizons UK - A UK Based support group for Novell GroupWise and Teaming customers
- GroupWise Communities in EMEA - Cooperation of GroupWise User Groups in EMEA
- GroupWise EMEA User Groups, Tour & Summits - EMEA Novell User Groups, Series of one- and two-day events all over EMEA