What’s New in SmarterMail 9.x
September 19, 2011 49 Comments
SmarterMail 9 is on the horizon and we’re so excited about the features in it that we’re breaking from tradition and doing something a bit out of the ordinary.
Our normal course of action when we approach betas of a new product is as follows:
- Tim, SmarterTools’ CEO, becomes a bit more active in our public forums, dropping hints here and there about new features when we finalize them.
- We create a Beta Buzz Page that gives more details of the new features as well as formally announces the open beta.
- We create specific forums for beta participants to post bugs, impressions and discuss the new features and the product in general.
This time, however, I wanted to tease the new features ahead of time – transparently and a bit more openly. After all, as we bring SmarterMail new features and evolve the product, I felt it was time we also evolved how we communicate with customers. Thankfully, Tim agreed.
The Evolution of SmarterMail
9.x is going to be a pretty major evolutionary leap for SmarterMail, one that moves us more towards becoming a complete communications platform for end users. What that means is that we are starting to integrate additional methods of communication into the product beyond simply email.
Sure, email is the primary focus of SmarterMail, and it always will be. However, the mail server is also the perfect tool to bring other forms of communication to end users. In fact, one the biggest issues internally at SmarterTools is the ability to communicate with all our employees live, in real-time, wherever they are: at home, at work or on the road. Email is a great form of communication, but it’s never going to be as instantaneous as something like instant messaging.
Instant Messaging Comes to SmarterMail
Therefore, in SmarterMail 9.x, we are excited to announce that we will be integrating a Jabber server into SmarterMail. That means you will be able to use any Jabber-enabled instant messaging (IM) client like Adium, Digsby or countless others, without having to have a separate chat server and without having to use an outside service like Google Talk, Live Messenger, Yahoo! or others. All of your chats will be internal to a specific domain, giving you full access and control, both from an administrative AND a regulatory compliance standpoint. In addition, all users in SmarterMail will be automatically available for IM through the Global Address List (GAL), which means less overhead and management for system admins, Human Resources, etc.
A Word (or 10) About MAPI and Exchange Web Services (EWS)
Another solution we were looking for as an organization was to make both Mac and Windows versions of Microsoft Outlook integrate as seamlessly with SmarterMail as it does with Microsoft Exchange. As a result, last year we put a lot of time and effort looking into MAPI. We even let people in the forums know we were making good progress and we even sent some employees to the Microsoft campus in Redmond for testing and verification of our progress. However, we quickly realized that Microsoft’s future is in Exchange Web Services (EWS). MAPI is essentially being deprecated by Microsoft as it is extremely inefficient and its internal security requirements weren’t compatible with other platforms such as Mac. EWS is the future; it is up-to-date and a very efficient method of synchronizing mail, calendars, contacts, notes, etc. We believe Microsoft is betting on EWS as the future, and so are we.
Therefore, we are very excited that we will have EWS integration with SmarterMail 9.x. Already, Microsoft supports EWS in Microsoft Outlook 2011 for Mac. In addition, EWS will be supported in the new version of Microsoft Office 2012. This also means that SmarterTools will be one of the first mail servers, in addition to Exchange, to support Exchange Web Services and will put SmarterMail well ahead of our competition…once again. The integration and usability is going to be outstanding!
And There’s More…
If these two major features weren’t enough, SmarterMail 9.x will have a completely updated interface that is ten times faster than SmarterMail 8.x (and it blows versions previous to 8.x out of the water) and, just as with SmarterTrack, the web interface will be able to be used on tablets such as the iPad, on Samsung/Acer or other Android tablets and even on the upcoming (and great-looking) Windows 8 and the Metro interface. Although users normally configure their iPads and tablets to use Exchange ActiveSync or iCal and CardDav, when you’re using a communal iPad or picking up a friend’s tablet you will now have complete web interface functionality at your fingertips!
Finally, SmarterMail 9.x has been Alpha tested for some time internally here at SmarterTools – we run a number of different email clients, IM clients, tablets, operating systems and phones so we are a perfect test bed for our own products. As such, SmarterMail 9.x will be one of our most tried and tested releases prior to Beta release, focusing not only on major features but all the minor and little things that users and administrators appreciate from SmarterTools products!
So that’s a quick look at what’s coming up. What are your thoughts?
This post was written by Derek C., vice president of marketing and communications for SmarterTools. If you liked this post, please consider subscribing to the SmarterTools Blog so you don’t miss an update.
Eish, so SM is now going the same route as merak… Why not build a seperate communications platform product, so if people want it they can addon, rather provide more into the mail server for clustering and failover support, IM is something we will not be using…….
We have been a loyal client for 5 years and more, and it is a pity that SM has not really listened to certain requests from their customers…
I appreciate your feedback but wanted to make sure you realized that EVERY release we do is based off customer requests. The demand for an even faster web interface and the ability to use the web interface (with all its functionality) across tablets and smartphones was the most important feature to our customers. We made this a priority in all our products.
Synchronizing with Outlook, Desktop, Operating Systems, Mobile Devices, Tablets continues to be a priority for both customers and SmarterTools… and why Exchange Web Services is a primary feature in this release.
The ability to have Instant Messaging built into the system was also a very highly requested feature. These requests came from Enterprise users of our product who are looking for a complete replacement to Microsoft Exchange and Microsoft Lync.
In every version there is a feature or two that a customer will have no interest in. Be assured, we take the most popular features and implement them. Also, now that we have an 8 to 10 month release schedule, we can get more features in our customers hands quicker.
Doesn’t Kerio Connect already support Exchange Web Services…
Yes, they just released EWS in the 7.2 release. Kerio Connect is a very simliar product to SmarterMail except in one area (PRICE):
SmarterMail 250 users – $499 + nominal fee for EWS (we will disclose later)
Kerio 250 users – over $6,000
SmarterTools works very hard to provide Enterprise / Service Provider level products at a much more reasonable price than our competitors. This price difference is very common with our competitors and why we work with so many companies to help them convert to SmarterTools products.
I’m glad SM will support both EWS and IM. I’ll need to upgrade to the new version of Outlook/Office, but planned to anyway I think.
It sounds like I can use any Jabber compatible client, but is there a web interface for it? That would be ideal I think.
Pat,
Yes, in addition to being able to use a Jabber compatible client we ARE also planning on a web interface. In fact, we’re working that piece out right now
. Thanks for your comments.
Great feature set. I am especially looking forward to EWS and the new web UI.
Regarding Instant Messaging, I hope this is something we can disable completely, since we need to communicate with our clients through standard gtalk, skype, etc.
AJ,
Yes, IM will be optional and managed on a domain-by-domain basis within SmarterMail, so you don’t have to use it if you don’t want. Thanks for your comments!
FEATURE REQUEST: The ability to have all incoming messages converted to PLAIN TEXT.
Noted. Thanks!
Should there be a change by the customer. Examples (translated into other languages - are part of facilities for disabled users)
Checking email like gmail and … Pop3 and imap using the smartermail
You can already check external email like gmail.
Also, you can already check your SmarterMail account using POP3 and IMAP.
If that’s what you meant by your comments.
Hello,
I’m wondering does Android devices support EWS? I was hoping to have MAPI because I can not only sync with outlook but also with my phone for example.
Regards
Android should support EWS once it’s implemented. However, you can now use something like Exchange ActiveSync to sync your Android device. I had a DroidX and it worked very well.
Just something to consider.
Android does not natively support Exchange Web Services.
Most Android devices DO support Exchange ActiveSync. This requires each manufacturer who releases a phone or tablet to license ActiveSync from Microsoft. Google provides Android for FREE and therefore requires the manufacture to license technologies.
There are third party applications (clients) and tools that people are building for Android to connect to Exchange Web Services.
Hope this helps…
Is it possible to translate in different languages.
Do you have other pop3 email that features the smartermail received. Example (gmail and university email, etc.)
15% discount to upgrade to version 9x is very low.
Please “link to download the beta test and let 9x
Thanks
Once again ignoring customer demand for cluster support.
Why not count the requests on your forum for cluster support versus the requests for “very highly requested” IM? Give us cluster support and SQL Server storage, not gingerbread like IM. There are already a zillion different ways to provide IM for those who want it.
I really hope that you will finish the implementation of Exchange ActiveSync in this version. Just the thought of you adding Exchange Web Services makes me wonder if it will be a complete implementation because of the current state of the implementation of Exchange ActiveSync.
For example:
1. The only message flags supported on your implementation of EAS are Read and Un-Read. So reply, forward and follow up don’t get synced.
2. Better support for out of office messages… setting out of office message doesn’t do anything.
3. Forwarding of email attachments doesn’t work. If you forward an email using EAS and download the forwarded message in Outlook no attachment is visible because of some missing headers (the attachment is included in the email just not visible).
I’m currently running Android 2.3.3 with SmarterMail 8.2. I know my issues above are not phone/Android related because hooking it up to Exchange Server 2010 the issues above were non existent. I really wish you would get those small issues resolved, it makes me not even offer EAS to my clients because half of the EAS features don’t even work.
No comments on if SM 9 will have better Exchange ActiveSync implementation?
Seeing SmarterMail 9 will be having interface change, will it also support preview of PDF, Microsoft Documents extensions (seeing right now it support preview for images)
This is not planned for the 9.x release
Sucks… This would be a great addition to SM.
The ability to view attachments of a message in spool would be very useful. Right now, we can only view the message body and headers, but not the attachment(s).
Pingback: SmarterMail 9 Is Here ?
Already, Microsoft supports EWS in Microsoft Outlook 2011 for Mac. In addition, EWS will be supported in the new version of Microsoft Office 2012
So we need to upgrade our office package to 2012 to have EWS works.
I guess SM is not thinking clearly if that is the case, heck still many companies use office 2003.
I concur with Fadi.
Trying to get SM sync to work decently with Outlook has been nothing but one upgrade after another. (upgade fatigue anyone?)
Surely ST can produce a “non-kludge” sync between OL 2003+ and EWS!
…and no, “sync with Outlook” from the web interface is NOT an acceptable solution. This is still a kludge.
How to check smartermail 9X (demo). Or video or pictures to be seen.
We will announce the beta just as we have in the past: beta review page, sign ups, etc. and probably a press release. This blog post was just an initial way to get information out there to people who were asking about it. Rest assured we will do offer a beta and announce it once it’s available.
Thanks
We are awaiting a full report demo of smartermail 9X
Is it possible to be fully translated into another language. How? Please “Help
Not sure what you mean? SmarterMail’s interface is already provided in a wide variety of languages.
I translated the label buttons and text messages that can be translated into other languages.
Users will see the language of their country smartermail environment.
Usually “to change the language of the text and click a file that is equivalent to the English language should be equal to its type.
Example (email = )
Please, “an example of a smartermail address that has been translated into other languages show
Thanks
Now able to receive mail from other mail servers in smartermail there.
But unfortunately I get an email every time the configuration is done by Mailbox Migration and hard work.
Please “in version 9 of this section to edit the settings of the email address was no longer necessary to reset the email address.
Just select the address, mail is loaded by smartermail.
Thanks
If you want a major new feature in SM, and you are stubbornly going to ignore demands for clustering support, why not flesh out the mailing list functionality instead? There is a whole lot that could be done to improve that piece, and I’m pretty certain more people would use that than will be using IM.
Hello
Thank you because you early information.
I bought because I wanted a chat and I will add to the website.
Whether you’re chatting with integrated smartermail. This is very good.
Please “a demo for a quick review of the 9x versions of the show.
Thanks
+1 on support for clustering. We’ve been begging for that feature since v3, and it was hinted that it would be in v6. It wasn’t, and it appears it won’t be in v9 either.
Everything else on our network– www servers, dns servers, replicated SAN– is redundant. SmarterMail will continue to be our single point of failure.
Did the ability to filter mail based on IP geo location make it in? We have requested this feature, and requested this feature, and requested this feature. A nice lookup on the sending mail servers IP to get the location is a must for us.
We need this ability (customers have requested the ability to filter or block mail based on country).
Thanks!
Also the ability to stop users from sending mail under a different address than they have authenticated as?
Uh, please no, unless that is an optional feature. We have several role accounts setup as aliases that dump into the support@ mailbox for the domain. Examples: ssladmin@, dnsadmin@, and so forth.
We have each of those aliases setup in our email client as “from” addresses– so when we hit Reply, the “from” address is whatever the “to” address was in the original email. But since these roles exist only as aliases and not POP boxes, you can’t authenticate with them to send outbound. So we use our support@ credentials to authenticate for SMTP.
This would be a purely optional setting yes. I can see cases where this is a good thing, however we have had many where it is not.
What is Microsoft’s stance on adding EWS to older versions of Outlook? Not all of us can just upgrade to the latest version. I have many clients using IMAP and SyncML now with Outlook 2007 who do not want Outlook 2010. This is the main hurdle for customers not migrating everything to SmarterMail. SmarterMail is great from the standpoint of hosting but for Exchange functionality this is key.
Anticipated release date?
Well here is the thing. I’m not sure I want to add more overhead to my mail server with all the chatting going on leave alone the support issues that come with it. I don’t make a dime. I would rather see the core product improved, more admin features added and the EAS completely/better implemented. Adding all the bells reminds me of why I ran away from IMail and for all the positive things SM stood for. Seems like I’m living a bad dream on replay.
Oh and this business of 40% annual renewals is out of control. SM really needs to revisit that one.
I agree. We just renewed our Enterprise support last week, but I thought long and hard before I did. The reason was to give ST one more year to and meaningful features that matter to us– clustering and better out-of-the-box synchronization without buying 3rd party products.
So far all I’ve seen the past several releases has been more glitter, but not a lot of substance. Our SM v6.9 installation was rock solid, very fast, and consumed a very small percentage of available system resources. The ONLY reason I upgraded to v.8 was because webmail was broken for newer versions of Firefox.
In exchange, we got a splash screen (which we cannot disable globally– shame on ST) that resulted in several dozen phone calls from users who were either confused, or wanted things like ActiveSync for free.
Unless there is substantial progress on core functions we really want, I won’t be renewing next year. The break-even point is every 2.1 years, annual renewal vs. letting it expire and bringing back from the dead.
Since we usually don’t upgrade any more often, it’s hard to make a business case for keeping up the foolishness. If it was 20-25%, then it would be a no-brainer.
If you chat with the integrated (coordinated) is almost too good to be “like social networks and the use of email can be more than
Please “chat with mail merge.
Thanks
I have been a user for many years and am down to 2 SmarterTools email servers. The main reason we are getting away from SmarterTools is the same for many others, not addressing the core functionality issues NEEDED and putting in glitzy stuff more users could care less about.
I will give you a PERFECT example. Since 2005 many, many people including myself have asked for a GLOBAL Content Filter and not just a Domain-Level Content Filter to lower Spam and keep OUR CUSTOMERS happy.
6.5 years and 5 versions later, still no dice.
Version 9 will be the last chance Smartertools get since I NEED a tool that can block inbound emails SERVER-WIDE by domain name. Seriously, how hard is that?
Thanks for listening!
It’s not hard, just low priority. I agree 100% that GLOBAL filtering needs to be there.
And I know this is repeating myself, but we’re still waiting for clustering, which we were told several years ago was expected in version 6. Not. Everything else about our mail system is redundant, including a load-balanced cluster of inbound filtering gateways (not SM of course). The only single point of failure in our mail chain is Smarter Mail.