Filed under: Software, Internet Tools
Kerio MailServer is getting pushy
We've mentioned Kerio MailServer before, pointing it out as an Exchange alternative. Well, just two days after the release of the 3G iPhone, Kerio announced version 6.5.2 with full iPhone compatibility, complete with push email, contacts and calendar thanks to ActiveSync.
Kerio MailServer has technically supported the iPhone for about a year, using a sync agent that was only capable of synchronization through IMAP, and calendar and contact syncing was handled through iTunes. With newly available technologies, MailServer users have a much more efficient means of keeping everything flowing. It's also been pointed out that, unlike some other email servers, it allows full access to all of your folders, not just the Inbox. According to Kerio, it's real "push," and it really works.
I'm not currently running Kerio MailServer, so I can't attest to its effectiveness, but the 3G update is free for currently active subscribers. Using it on a previous generation iPhone, however, does require a paid upgrade*. Check Kerio's site for more information on pricing and features.
*Correction: it's a flat out free upgrade for all current subscribers.

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Bri said 11:38AM on 7-17-2008
I have Kerio and have had it for a number of years now as I like the product quite a bit. Anyway I got the update and it works just fine for the iPhones. It does not currently work with the itouch though, even with the new software update. IMAP still is fine with the itouch though...
Give it a try!
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Joel Cowgill said 11:47AM on 7-17-2008
We have started to deploy this at many of our clients who need a less-expensive alternative to an Exchange deployment with ActiveSync support. Not only does the update work as advertised, global address book lookups now work from the iPhone which has been a saving grace for all who use public contacts.
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Jash Sayani said 12:22PM on 7-17-2008
New license is for $500 ! I can use MobileMe for 5 years for that much!
And 5 yrs later, who knows, several free services like these might come up and PUSH might reach greater extents!
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Jonathan Wise said 1:07PM on 7-17-2008
But thats for a 5-user license... so thats $100/user. At least competitive with MobileMe, and I can vouch for Kerio -- great software!
Bri said 1:07PM on 7-17-2008
Yes, but you're looking at it from a single user point of view. I host several people's email plus my own. With 2 new iPhones and one old one this is a welcome addition. It will do POP or IMAP, web, calendars, etc. Plus if you want the renewal that's another $150 a year... Not for the single user, more for the multi-user/business.
Steven Sande said 12:40PM on 7-17-2008
I have a number of clients who I've set up Kerio Mail Server for. I think they're going to love this new iPhone push capability and would gladly pay the price for the upgrade.
TUAWSteve
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nakedmac said 1:07PM on 7-17-2008
KMS 6.5.2 and push works great with the iPhone 2.0. The limitations remain on the iPhone, where you still have to choose whether you want to synch your contacts and calendars with iTunes or by getting pushed from the server -- no option for both. I accidentally wiped out my contacts after initially configuring push on my iPhone, but I was able to turn that off and re-sync them with iTunes.
KMS also supports remote wipe, but I haven't been brave enough to push that button in the admin console and see how well it works.
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Bri said 1:09PM on 7-17-2008
I did try this on the old iPhone, it was upgraded, and it worked flawlessly...
~C said 5:18PM on 7-17-2008
6.5.2 only allows for Plain Text emails and does not support attachments. No point setting up your iPhone for this until the next major release when they fix this.
~C
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Graham said 11:45AM on 7-18-2008
Attachments and HTML emails are working fine on our 6.5.2 test server.
bmoney said 7:39PM on 7-17-2008
Also, no public folder support. And push will ONLY take place over 3G or EDGE. Wifi is not supported. Crazy!
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tonyS said 11:54AM on 8-21-2008
We've had Kerio for awhile, and it positively stinks. We have constant problems with the offline connector which causes Outlook to not function properly, including crashes. Everything is a bug, soon to be fixed, but the bugs continue and we're dumping it for an exchange server. Buyer Beware!!
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