We also review five groupware packages, including all of their bundled applications beyond messaging. We compared the groupware systems but also tested their standalone mail servers against the IMAP e-mail servers. Internet standards such as IMAP and LDAP have become more important. An IMAP server stores all your messages on the server, the same way a groupware system does. This lets you manipulate your message store as you would any other data, organize messages into nested folders, and create shared folders.
Some packages also provide development tools and migration features.
Such features and flexibility may come at a substantial cost, though. Rolling out a groupware package in a large company is expensive and requires more administrative and technical support than a comparable e-mail system. If you opt for groupware, you may find you need to dedicate a server to run the application and assign a qualified, full-time support person to maintain it. Many small companies will find they simply don't have the resources to support a groupware package. If your users don't need the additional features provided in a groupware package, then there's no reason to spend the time, money, and effort required to provide them.