E-Mail/Collaboration Software

Champ: Microsoft

By Stacy Cowley, ChannelWeb

3:00 PM EDT Fri. Apr. 14, 2006
From the April 17, 2006 issue of CRN

Microsoft repeated its win from last year in the e-mail and collaboration software category, thanks to the strength of its channel programs and what solution providers deemed to be unmatched integration among its Exchange Server and SharePoint collaboration tools and ubiquitous Office suite.

In the 2006 CRN Channel Champions survey, Microsoft clocked competitors on the criterion of integration with e-mail, pulling 5.7 points ahead of Novell.

Solution providers said customers flock to Outlook for its smooth links with other Office applications and its familiar user interface, while systems administrators appreciate the tight integration Microsoft's Active Directory and other infrastructure components enable across its entire collaboration stack.

Security remained Microsoft's Achilles' heel—it was the only criterion in which the vendor lost out to its rivals, trailing Novell by 8.5 points and coming in third. Novell and IBM partners report that security is a major factor in deals they win away from Microsoft. That frustrates Microsoft partners who say the company has made big strides toward reducing vulnerabilities.

"Microsoft is the biggest target out there. Inherently, its products are secure, but if you don't follow best practices from an operating perspective, you're going to have problems," said Lance Russell, director of alliances for PointBridge, a Chicago-based Microsoft infrastructure specialist.

In channel program areas, Microsoft had a clean sweep and a 3.3-point lead over Novell. Its strong points included 5.7-point leads in consistency of channel programs and vendor support.

Last year, the race was close between Microsoft and IBM, but this time Microsoft's victory was decisive, with an overall satisfaction rating of 77.2. IBM slipped to third with 73.9, trailing Novell's second-place score of 74.8.

One solution provider suggested IBM's fall may reflect unease about IBM's shifting emphasis toward its new Java-based Workplace portfolio of collaboration software. "I think most customers are unsure where their Lotus products are going," said Ron Herardian, founder of Global System Services, an e-mail and messaging services firm in Mountain View, Calif.

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