UIndy implements new e-mail system
By Andrew Gouty
Online Editor
Many University of Indianapolis students, faculty and staff have been transferred to a new Web mail system for their UIndy e-mail accounts.
Last summer, Information Systems began converting user accounts to a new e-mail server technology called Zimbra Collaboration Suite, as opposed to the old IMP-based (Internet Messaging Program) system.
Before offering the switch campus-wide, UIndy IS offered the new e-mail interface to two small groups of faculty and students, each approximately 100 and 50 accounts respectively on Sept. 10. In early October, Zimbra was opened to the rest of the UIndy community. IS hopes to have the majority of accounts changed over to the new interface by Thanksgiving, according to Jeff Russell, chief information systems officer.
Jerry Flatto, associate professor of the School of Business was among the first to switch to the new e-mail system.
“The transfer was really slick. It’s a very seamless process,” Flatto said.
The new Zimbra interface replaces the Web-based components of UIndy e-mail accounts, meaning that UIndy e-mail is still accessible via client programs such as Microsoft Outlook and Mozilla Thunderbird. The new Web mail system replaces the online components of the UIndy e-mail, but does not change how Thunderbird and Outlook users get their mail. For those who retrieved their mail using the IMP system, some bugs have been fixed and new features have been added.
For example, many students and faculty received corrupted e-mail attachments as a result of a glitch in the old IMP system. This issue has been resolved through the new Zimbra system, Russell said.
The new system features a more user-friendly design that incorporates features similar to Web mail systems used by Microsoft, Google and Yahoo! for their respective Web mail interfaces.
On Sept. 17, Yahoo! Inc. announced that an acquisition deal with the Zimbra, Inc. was reached to acquire the Zimbra company for $350 million. According to the Zimbra Web site (zimbra.com) Yahoo!’s plans to incorporate Zimbra will not affect Zimbra’s current sales and customer base, which includes UIndy. While Zimbra is an open source solution, UIndy IS has contacted with them to supply support services for their software.
“We heard from many incoming faculty and students that G-Mail and Yahoo! Mail were graphically more pleasing,” Russell said.
Given that feedback and some of the technical issues presented by the old IMP system, UIndy IS began its search for a new web mail solution late last winter.
“IMP was pretty dated at that time, and Zimbra rose to the top of our list right away,” Russell said.
Users who have switched to the new system already have been able to take advantage of several improved features. Design aspects notwithstanding, Zimbra implements a more advanced search engine, allowing users to search for their messages using a variety of variables and search terms.
In addition, Zimbra’s software package offers calendar services, address books, and shared document suites. According to Russell, the next steps for the Zimbra system include implementation of these additional components.
E-mail clients have not been the only thing under consideration in the IS department. Workshops for faculty and students were held Nov. 5 followed by an open forum on Nov. 6 to discuss planning for a new learning space in Krannert Memorial Library. With renovations proposed to begin in the coming year, technology solutions to incorporate into the new space will be on the IS plate.
“Campus has nothing to worry about – the egg chairs are not going anywhere,” Russell said.
