The installer will get an Ubuntu 8.04 LTS Linux server ready for use in
about 20 minutes, if used with the Quick Start feature. Detailed
installation instructions, including prerequisite SugarCRM and Zimbra
configuration, can be found at http://wiki.datasyncsuite.com/Install .

Additionally, we are launching new forums for discussion of Suite usage,
feature requests, administration, and development. We encourage anyone
interested in software integration to join our community at
http://www.datasyncsuite.com/forums/.

The next community initiatives will be a public bug tracker to encourage
reporting of issues and creating additional documentation in our Wiki.

To download DataSync Suite CE 1.5 and join our community, please visit
http://www.datasyncsuite.com/open-source.

“Offering DataSync Suite on SugarExchange is a major step because it accomplishes a number of things. First, it adds DataSync Suite to SugarCRM’s newly launched online marketplace. Second, it reaffirms DataSync’s position within SugarCRM’s community as an up and coming player. Most importantly, it further strengthens DataSync’s relationship with SugarCRM.”

For more information on the product listing, visit Sugar Exchange or DataSync’s website.

“This agreement will allow DataSync to expand our reach and distribution channel globally while including both Sugar Pro and Sugar Enterprise editions onto our platform,” stated DataSync CEO Mike Vetter. “For our partners this represents DataSync Suite reaching critical mass and enables them to pursue additional sales opportunities.”

DataSync assists businesses in focusing on their customers through connecting email, contacts, calendars, accounting software and websites to a central Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system. The addition of Sugar Enterprise into DataSync Suite provides users with additional and more robust SugarCRM features including a customer service portal and offline client accessibility.

“DataSync is delivering a unique suite of cloud-based applications for small and medium-sized business,” said Jeff Campbell, Vice President of Worldwide Sales and SugarCRM. “Coupled with its proven track record of successful implementations and support for customers, DataSync is well positioned to expand its offering to new markets.”

Read the rest of the press release for more information on this new SugarCRM agreement.

SAN DIEGO, Calif. — March 8, 2010— DataSync, a leading provider of consolidated business software solutions, will present at this year’s SugarCon event in San Francisco, being held April 12-14. SugarCon 2010 unites CRM customers and developers with companies and projects committed to building open business applications for the Cloud. Mike Vetter, CEO of DataSync, will lead the discussion, aimed at highlighting how companies can gain from running their business applications in a cloud environment.

Session Details:

The Cloud is Suite: Running Your Entire Business on the Cloud

Topic: Web-based applications have proven their ability to improve performance and reduce costs. Yet, for many companies, the problems of information silos and data integration not only persist, they have increased. The next generation of applications delivered over the Web will move beyond controlling cost to delivering a seamless experience for customers and business users. In this session, Mike Vetter, CEO of DataSync, will explore the implications of running your entire business in the cloud with the results that easily surpass the first generation of web applications.

Participant: Mike Vetter, CEO, DataSync

Date and time: Tuesday, April 13 3:15PM PDT

Location: Palace Hotel, San Francisco

DataSync is also a Gold sponsor of the SugarCon event. Representatives from the company will be available to provide further information at the DataSync booth, located in the SugarCon exhibitors’ hall inside the Palace Hotel’s Garden Court.

SugarCon 2010, SugarCRM’s fourth annual user and customer conference, brings together SugarCRM users, developers, partners and industry experts from around the world. Packed with more than 100 sessions, SugarCon provides a wealth of practical knowledge that any business can apply to improve performance and differentiate in the market.

For more information about SugarCon, visit http://www.sugarcon.com.

For the full press release, please visit our website.

Our Zimbra and SugarCRM Calendar Syncing feature allows you to use one calendar for both your personal and customer facing meetings. Your calendar information can then be automatically synced to any mobile device.  This feature allows you to set calendar meeting reminders, and get notified wherever you are.

Calendar syncing will enable users to synchronize assigned phone calls and meetings from the CRM system in their Zimbra calendar.

“Finalization of calendar syncing brings a robust feature set to DataSync Suite that our customers have been looking for,” stated Mike Vetter, CEO at DataSync, “This is just another stepping stone toward building the most comprehensive collaborative business platform available.”

Click here to read the rest of the DataSync Suite v1.2.5 press release.

Bigger companies are finding the solution to their software needs in open source applications. At DataSync in the past 60 days, we have seen a trend in more larger-sized companies turning to open source SaaS.

Why the trend of big businesses moving towards open source software?

1. Cost efficient alternative to traditional software

Open source software provides a cost-efficient solution to companies’ needs for a better alternative than Microsoft Exchange, for example. In the current state of the economy, companies are searching for alternative options when choosing software providers. In a recent article from Network World, John Fantana writes, “The combination of pumped-up technical features and relatively low prices are giving vendors with open source-based products more inroads to corporate networks than ever before.”

2. More open source options available today than ever before

The adoption of open source software today is due also to the number of companies developing new open source solutions. Also in the Network World article, Barry Crist, CEO of Likewise, a maker of integration and identity management software for mixed environments, says, “In the dot-com bust it was Unix to Linux migration because Linux was cheaper than Solaris on SPARC. Phase 2 [of corporate open source adoption] has been accelerated by the current economic conditions. IT is looking to do things in a cost-effective manner and there are a lot of viable open source solutions out there.”

3. Quality of support and security

The quailty of support offered from these reputable open source solutions is also an advantage. Fantana comments, “Adoption has also been fueled by the success of established open source companies such as Red Hat, Novell, Alfresco and  SugarCRM, which have proven to enterprise users that it isn’t the development process but the results (and quality support) that matter.”

SugarCon has become one of the most unique and popular CRM conferences in the world and this year promises to be even better,” said Larry Augustin, CEO of SugarCRM. “Whether you are a customer, partner, developer or just interested in learning about the future of business applications, cloud computing and open source, we invite you to spend three exciting days with us.

According to the press release, the theme for SugarCon 2010 will be “Evolve Your CRM.” Conference keynotes, tracks and sessions will offer practical advice on how companies can take advantage of the big trends – cloud computing, social networking and open source – impacting how companies attract and retain customers.

DataSync is a proud sponsor of SugarCon 2010, joining others including: Microsoft, Angel.com, iNet Process, Knowledgetree, Pardot, Plus Consulting, Red Hat, Talend, Levementum, WebApp VM, Sales Elements, SierraCRM and Zend.

For more information on SugarCon, read the press release or  visit http://www.sugarcon.com.

Marc Gadsdon, Managing Director of In-Tuition Networks, commented:

In-Tuition is very excited about the opportunities for DataSync Suite in the UK market. Until now it has been overly complex and expensive for SMEs to integrate data between key line of business applications. Staff must log in to multiple different applications, usually many times every day and they must remember to update customer information in all applications to make sure that they all the same information. These inefficiencies result in lost productivity, cost businesses money and can result in frustration and confusion both for customers and staff. With the arrival of DataSync Suite these businesses can now enjoy levels of application integration previously reserved for the largest enterprises – all in one easy to deploy and mange, value for money package.

Andrea Wörrlein, CEO of VNC, the master distributor of DataSync Suite in EMEA, commented:

We are very happy to welcome In-Tuition as a DataSync distributor in the UK, who will promote DataSync Suite to their channel partners and their customers in the UK market. We are convinced that DataSync Suite is a perfect fit for SMB customers and will experience tremendous growth in the near future.

This new partnership will allow In-Tuition Networks to add to their product range by integrating their current Zimbra solution with other services offered through the Suite (SugarCRM, website hosting, QuickBooks, and more).

Mike Vetter, CEO of DataSync, also commented saying:

We’re looking forward to working with In-Tuition to bring the benefits of the DataSync Suite to the UK market.   In-Tuition’s expertise in open source application hosting and excellent network of existing resellers will be invaluable in getting the UK channel up to speed with our offering.

For more information on partnering with DataSync, please contact one of our solution specialists.

Don’t want to deal with the hassle of importing the files to Zimbra on your own? For a one-time cost of $9.95 per user, let DataSync do the work for you. Contact sales@datasyncorp.com or call 1-866-901-7478 to find out how to migrate to Zimbra today.

DataSync’s Zimbra Migration services include:

• Microsoft Exchange Migration– Zimbra’s tool that takes data from your Microsoft Exchange server and imports it into our Zimbra system. Allows you to reintegrate with Outlook just by taking Exchange out of the equation.
• PST File Import – This is our most common Zimbra migration service. It takes your Microsoft Outlook PST files and imports them into Zimbra. Your PST files can now be accessed in Zimbra, as well as on your mobile device.
• IMAP Mail Import – We can import mail from your local mail client (Outlook, Apple Mail, Thunderbird) and migrate it into a Zimbra server.
• CSV Import – We can import contacts from your current mail client as a CSV file into Zimbra. This creates a separate address book from your Zimbra address book, so you can access both lists.
• ICS Import – We can also import your calendar as an ICS file from your current mail client to Zimbra. It creates a calendar separate from your Zimbra calendar, and you are able to view as many calendars as you want at a time.

We have more information available on Zimbra Migration Services, as well as further training at DataSync University.

Thursday, September 3 – 2:00pm CST

DataSync will be hosting another free webinar this week: DataSync Suite Onramp Overview. This webinar will demonstrate how to onramp DataSync Suite in your business. In this webinar, we will train you on the following:

• Configuring Zimbra for your email, calendar, contacts, and tasks
• Setting up mobile devices such as BlackBerry, iPhone, Palm and Windows Mobile
• Basic usage in Drupal to add and edit website content and themes
• Basic sales and customer service functions for SugarCRM
• Changing permissions in SugarCRM

This webinar is completely free and designed to answer your questions about our product. After the 45 minute demonstration, we will be taking questions on how your organization could benefit from DataSync Suite. Members of our sales staff will be available following the webinar to answer more specific questions as well.

If September 3 doesn’t work for you, try next week’s webinar: Thursday, September 10, 2:00pm CST