Yahoo’s Zimbra launches next edition of email software

Yahoo’s Zimbra open-source email suite has launched its next major edition of software, Collaboration Suite 6.0 (ZCS 6.0).

The launch follows reports that Yahoo is actually trying to sell off the firm it acquired at the end of 2007 for US$350m (A397m).

The Zimbra Suite provides email, contacts, calendar, search, VoIP and document-authoring tools.

The update will extend the applications to third-party developers, as well as improve enterprise collaboration through new calendaring, sharing and extended mobile support, claimed the firm.

Jim Morrisroe, Zimbra general manager, said, “Key features in ZCS 6.0 were determined by thousands of votes from the Zimbra community, enabling us to build a premier email and collaboration suite to address top requests, meet market demand, and position us to continue our strong global growth.”

A new tab will allow customers to integrate third-party web applications, offering better customisation and control of mash-ups within the suite, said Zimbra.

Additionally Zimbra users will be given a three-pane email view and improved visual view of appointments when using their calendar. Zimbra has added read receipts to emails, as well as the ability to sort emails by size and attach files easier.

To give users an enhanced mobile experience, Zimbra said security updates like remote device wipe will protect sensitive information. Users can also now search their Zimbra contact base on their mobile phones.