Can Ubuntu + Zimbra Take On Exchange/Outlook?

The Zimbra Collaboration Suite, an enterprise-focused open-source alternative to Microsoft Outlook and Exchange, is coming to the popular Ubuntu Linux distro. Those running Ubuntu on the desktop will also be able to take advantage of Zimbra Desktop, a complete Ajax-based collaboration client with offline capability.

Zimbra Collaboration Suite (ZCS) Network Edition now supports Ubuntu version 6.06 LTS (Long-Term Support) from Canonical. Ubuntu has garnered a great deal of attention for its sharp-looking, feature-filled and user-friendly desktop Linux distribution.

Together, Zimbra and Ubuntu offer enterprises a desktop/server OS/mail combo that could give Microsoft Outlook and Exchange a run for their money. While enterprises have largely defaulted to Microsoft's mail platform, an affordable and easy-to-use alternative could prove tempting. The Zimbra Desktop alpha is now available as a free download from zimbra.com/desktop and works with ZCS 4.5.