In “Cross-Platform Identify Management
Solutions for Single Sign-On” (September
2007, InstantDoc ID 96592), a comparison of
DirectControl and two other products, Darren
Ehmke and Eric Rux wrote “DirectControl
is by far the most complex when it comes
to setting up and using UNIX personality
management, but it’s also the most robust.
You can’t go wrong if you choose Centrify.”
—Todd Erickson
Silver: Splunk
Splunk
www.splunk.com
Why it won: Splunk lets IT pros index and
search all sorts of enterprise data, such
as alerts, logs, and config files. If you’re
drowning in data, Splunk can help you
find what you need, when you need it.
Bronze: Likewise Open Spring ‘08
Likewise Software
www.likewisesoftware.com
Why it won: If you have a heteregenous
shop and need to incorporate Linux, UNIX,
or Macintosh systems into AD, Likewise
Open Spring ‘08 has you covered. It offers
a single, unified username and password
solution for all those environments.
Messaging Winners
Gold: PostPath Server
PostPath
www.postpath.com
Why it won: PostPath Server is a drop-in,
compatible alternative to Microsoft Exchange
Server that saves money on licensing,
hardware, and management tools.
There are many reasons you
might want to consider an
alternative to Exchange Server
for your messaging environment,
particularly if your organization
is looking to upgrade or expand.
The new architecture and management
structure of Microsoft Exchange Server
2007 have caused many admins to wonder
whether upgrading is worth the hassle.
Linux-based PostPath Server is a viable
alternative; in fact, it’s the only email and
collaboration server that’s natively compatible
with Microsoft products and existing
Exchange organizations—no add-ons
or plug-ins required.
According to Duncan Greatwood, CEO
of PostPath, “We’ve broken this compatibility
lock so that we really are in a position
to give customers a choice.” Outlook,
BlackBerry Enterprise Server, and other
Exchange servers all interact with PostPath
as if it were an Exchange server. PostPath
uses a standards-based Linux file system for
data storage, enabling lower storage costs and backup and restore without the need
for specialized tools.
Clyde Williams, infrastructure systems
manager for Southeast Alabama Medical
Center, cited both lower cost and ease of
implementation as reasons for switching
his organization to PostPath Server. “For
an Outlook user, they don’t know the difference,”
Williams said. New users and
mailboxes are created through AD, and you
can use Exchange systems management
tools to manage PostPath Server. “From
my experience so far, it just plain works,”
Williams said.
—Brian Winstead
See associated figure
Silver: 3CX Phone System for Windows
3CX
www.3cx.com
Why it won: The 3CX Phone System for
Windows is a software VoIP system that
runs on Windows. It replaces the traditional
hardware PBX and is much less
expensive.
Bronze: Unify Enterprise Edition
Ensim
www.ensim.com
Why it won: Ensim’s Unify Enterprise Edition automates provisioning and change
requests as part of a comprehensive systems
management solution. It’s a market
leader in managing all the elements of
a unified communications environment. Recent upgrades solidify this position
by enhancing features such as security,
mobility, and management of Exchange
deployments.
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