Mobility solutions for Open-Xchange 5 Advanced Server
OXtender for SyncML
Written by Open-Xchange the OXtender for SyncML (Synchronization Mark-up Language) provides a ‘pull’ solution for Open-Xchange 5 Advanced Servers’ groupware components (Calendar, Contacts and Tasks). It is fully compliant with the SyncML 1.1 standard and therefore will support any SyncML 1.1 compliant device. A brief list of SyncML 1.1 supported devices can be found at OpenSync Device Compatibility Listing. For devises that do not support SyncML 1.1 natively there are a number of clients available that will enable these devices so that they can communicate and synchronise with a SyncML server (for example Palm devices can be SyncML 1.1 enabled using the client from Synthesis so that they can be synchronised with the Open-Xchange server).
Note that functional capability and scope of each device will vary depending on the vendors’ implementation of SyncML and the end users’ device. Some devices will offer very extensive support (e.g. full Contacts, Calendaring, Tasks, Messaging etc.), while others may offer a cut down list of features (see the device documentation for details). Regardless of the ability of the end device the Open-Xchange server has built in safeguards to allow for this variety and maintain data integrity.
Nexthaus SyncJe for Blackberry™
It is well known by administrators that the Blackberry™ is a closed device and can only be accessed through Blackberry systems and services, but now together with Nexthaus Open-Xchange has an alternative: Simply install and configure the Nexthaus SymcJe client on the Blackberry device and then it can synchronise its groupware components directly with the Open-Xchange 5 Advanced Server.
Synthesis
For devises that do not have an inbuilt SyncML 1.1 capability, such as many Palm devices, Synthesis can provide a fully compatible client. Simply install the client onto the device, configure it to point at the Open-Xchange server and that is all. The device is now SyncML 1.1 enabled and it can receive and synchronise groupware information with the Open-Xchange server.
ChatterEmail™
ChatterEmail™ provides an email client for PalmOS powered Treo and Centro smartphones that supports both the IMAP and POP3 capability of the Open-Xchange server. ChatterEmail supports IMAP IDLE (RFC 2177) which allows for continuously updated email (Sometimes called Push email or Push-IMAP). Simply install the ChatterEmail client onto the mobile device; configure it to use the Open-Xchange server IMAP or POP3 interface and the mobile device is now able to receive continues email updates.
IMAP & POP3
The ability to provide emails from an Open-Xchange server to a mobile device is becoming easier as mobile devices become more powerful. Many mobile devices now support IMAP and/or POP3 directly. This means that to synchronise emails between an Open-Xchange server and such a mobile device is simply a matter of configuring that device to use the Open-Xchange server as its mail supplier and the job is done.
Note that although the device will work as an email client to the Open-Xchange server it is not groupware enabled. This means that the device will not synchronise contact lists, calendars appointments etc.
WebDAV
One very useful and advanced feature of the Open-Xchange server is the ability to store, control and share documents (actually any business object). This advanced feature can now be accomplished from a mobile device (if it supports the WebDAV protocol). Many advanced mobile devises today support a protocol called WebDAV. If the device does support WebDAV then it is only a matter of entering the location of the Open-Xchange server InfoStore and the device will have access to company shared documents from that device (note authentication will be required). For more details about WebDAV have a look at the How to guide on WebDAV.
Note that this document is about WebDAV in general and not mobile device specific but the principle is the same.
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