About Kolab Clients

Any standard client can connect to the various services a Kolab Server provides, e.g. Email (SMTP, POP3, IMAP), iCalendar services (Email), Addressbook/Management (LDAP) or Freebusy lists (HTTP).

For an integrated groupware experience, more is needed. Clients must understand the Kolab2 storage format and have necessary features, like setting access controls dealing with iCalendar emails and freebusy lists. Any non-web client must also offer offline support and should do electronic signatures.

We encourage anyone to implement Kolab features in their email, addressbook or organiser applications independently from the Kolab Project. An entry in the following list of potential Kolab clients subsequently does not necessarily mean endorsement.

Clients for Kolab-2

KDE Client (Kontact)

License: Free Software - GNU GPL
Status: stable 2.1.x

The Kolab Project has developed a KDE Client which is based on KDE Kontact and its components. All development was done within the KDE subversion repository and contributed directly to the KDE project. Our improvements find their way into the main developments at the pace of the KDE project.

Starting with KDE 3.4, Kontact covers all the functionality that Kolab Server 2.0 offers except personal distribution lists. The full functionality will be in KDE 3.5 or later.

For production usage, we recommend the "Proko2" branch of KDEPIM. Proko2 packages have seen most testing of the Kolab functions and can be build for KDE 3.2, 3.3 and 3.4 . Check out the KDE Client Download section.

Microsoft Outlook: Toltec Connector 2

License: proprietary, with gratis 30 day evaluation
Status: stable 2.0.x for Kolab 2

Homepage: www.toltec.co.za

The Toltec Connector 2 is the reference Outlook connector used during development of the Kolab project so interoperability with the KDE Kolab client was tested intensively. Its vendor Radley Network Technologies has a stable Outlook connector (Toltec 1 for Kolab 1) on the market since October 2003. User and groups can share folders including those that contain emails, calendar items, tasks and contacts with the Toltec Connector. Toltec Connector supports Kolab 2 shared public folders and users report success syncing with mobile devices like Palms Pilots and Windows CE devices using ActiveSync.

The Kolab2 XML Storage Format has been designed and developed in cooperation with the Toltec developers.

MAPI Storage Provider for Microsoft Outlook: KONSEC Konnektor

License: proprietary with a gratis 30 day evaluation
Status: stable release 1.1 for Kolab 2
Homepage: www.konsec.com

The KONSEC Konnektor is a Microsoft MAPI Storage Provider supporting the Kolab 2 XML Storage format and the Kolab 2 server. It was designed to be interoperable with all Kolab 2 clients and special attention was given to support Microsoft ActiveSync (Pocket PC PDAs) and Palm Pilots. The KONSEC Konnektor fully supports Kolab 2 shared public folders including folders containing calendars, tasks and contacts.

Horde Webmail

License: Free Software (GPL)
Status: experimental

Currently part of Horde CVS, this is still under development. It will allow users to access their server mailboxes and have full groupware functionality available. If you would like to contribute join the kolab-devel mailing list. All contributions welcome.

Horde currently still requires a SQL database and work is in progress which removes this requirement. Instructions on how to obtain and install the webclient can be found here.

Thunderbird Plugin: Sync Kolab

License: Same as Thunderbird which is Free Software
Status: experimental
Homepage: http://www.gargan.org/extensions/synckolab.html

Clients for Kolab-1

These are clients known to work with Kolab Server 1.0. - Please note that the Kolab 1 server is not activly developed anymore and that it is recommended to use Kolab 2 for new installations. Existing users of Kolab 1 are asked to upgrade to Kolab 2 for continued support.

KDE Client for Kolab-1

License: Free Software - GNU GPL
Status: Stable

The reference KDE client for Kolab Server 1.0 was based on KDE 3.1 and integrated KOrganizer etc. into KMail (Kontact was not available at that time). You can find information about Kolab-1 KDE Client at the Kroupware web-site.

Kontact 1.0

License: Free Software - GNU GPL
Status: Stable
Homepage: http://www.kontact.org/

The results of the KDE client for Kolab-1 have been integrated into the KDE project. As a result, KDE 3.3 containts Kontact 1.0 which is works with Kolab Server 1.0.

Outlook Plugin: Bynari v1

License: proprietary
Status: stable
Homepage: www.bynari.net

This plugin was the reference Outlook Plugin for Kolab 1.0. The reference platform for tests was NT4SP6 plus OL2000. It might not be available from its vendor anymore.

Outlook Plugin: Toltec Connector 1

License: proprietary
Status: stable
Homepage: www.toltec.co.za

Stable version available since mid October 2003.
Users reported good experiences.

Aethera

License: free software (GPL)
Status: unclear
Homepage: Aethera Site

Aethera is a independent client running on Windows and GNU/Linux. Its homepage says it is a Kolab 1 Client.