Hi, this is my first post I've actually gained alot of help from this forum without even needing to sign up so that's pretty cool

Ok I have a complete dilema and no idea even where this post belongs but I'm guessing this is the right place!

I am currently switching my user machines over to UNIX based systems currently a mixture of Linux (CentOS 5.3) and Solaris (SXCE).

Now I run Scalix, MS Exchange equivelent, server and it was a dream to integrate it with MS Outlook. Install the connector select the correct preferences and you're done! The only downside I guess to Scalix is the amount of extra work that needs to be done for SSL, anti-virus, anti-spyware and a few other bits and pieces which I forget. Overall I am happy though with it - no complaints.

What I really need however and what my users are screaming to me about is the lack of integration between Scalix and 3rd party mail clients. Currently they use Novells Evolution as IMAP client with CalDAV for the calendar information. CalDAV however is read only and absolutely no contact intergration at all.

I have been considering changing the software from Scalix to something else on any UNIX platform it doesn't matter, just so that I can have something similar to an Exchange/Outlook setup observed in Windows environments.

Is this even possible to start with?

I am currently looking at Zimbra, Sun's Java Communication Suite, and SurgeMail for BSD. Preferably I'd like it to be free with the integration too so perhaps open-source or community-edition. I have looked at OpenExchange too but thought that it didn't fulfill my neads.

Is there any advice or assistance that someone can give me as I'm not very familiour with the different types of colaboration software?

I also would like to be able to migrate too from Scalix somehow?? so that all my users' information isn't lost like contacts, calendar and e-mail. There are a few other points which I guess I will list below:

1. Easy migration from Scalix

2. Anti virus/spam ability (built in would be nice)

3. Easy integration with mail clients similar to Exchange/Outlook setup

4. Security SSL and/or TLS

5. Webmail client

6. Support for multiple domains

7. Free of charge

8. Ability to recieve e-mail from outside POP and IMAP accounts, like fetchmail

9. Ability to migrate Maildir format mailboxes

10. Be able to be used in conjunction with Apache on port 80 for www serving

I think that just about covers me, I have no idea if there is such a software out there but it sure would be nice to have something similar, which is why I like Scalix minus the mail client issues.

Many thanks for any responses!!