Collaborative workflows
Conclusions
In practice, the two groupware offerings, EGroupware and OnlyOffice, were particularly successful. Both succeed in adding groupware functions to the office suites almost seamlessly. OnlyOffice is ahead by a narrow margin: The suite looks like an ergonomic all-in-one solution. In addition, the applications are more completely localized in other languages, than those of the duo EGroupware and Collabora.
EGroupware, on the other hand, offers much better documentation in other languages and – together with Collabora – the best support in the test field. In the case of cloud-based services, EGroupware also stands out because the servers run completely in German data centers and users benefit from strict German data protection guidelines.
The purely cloud-based service from Google is also available for slower online access, but only provides basic functions. In addition, it is firmly integrated into the Google universe with non-transparent data protection according to US standards.
One of the drawbacks of all participants is the rather moderate quality of the conversion filters: In EGroupware, Collabora Online sometimes formats incorrectly even simple ODF documents created with OpenOffice. OnlyOffice also sometimes fails on simple ODF documents.
All of the reviewed applications are now functionally mature and fit for productive use (see Table 1). If you want to work cross-platform as part of a team, you will often find that they offer real added value compared to local single-user systems. Nevertheless, a practice-oriented evaluation is recommended before introducing a solution. Otherwise, there may be an additional workload if you have to adapt infrastructure and documents.
Table 1
Overview of Collaborative Office Suites
| Collabora Online/Office | Google Docs | OnlyOffice | EGroupware |
---|---|---|---|---|
Online server and apps |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
On-premise server |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Office suite used locally |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
No |
Groupware functions |
No |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Import and export function |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
ODF support |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Community version |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Enterprise version |
Yes |
Yes (integrated in G suite) |
Yes |
Yes |
Integration of foreign cloud services |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
No |
Fee-based support |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Noteworthy
In addition to traditional groupware office suites, which cover the entire spectrum of office work with texts, tables, and presentations, Linux supports several small projects that solve sub-tasks.
Particularly noteworthy are EtherPad Lite [3] and EtherCalc [4]. They are dedicated to collaborative work with texts and tables. Both projects work across platforms and are web-based. You store the individual texts or tables in "pads" on a web server. Every user who knows the URL can contribute to the text. These programs color-highlight contributions by the different users. Thus, even if several users work simultaneously on a text or a table, you can still keep track.
Celtx [5] allows collaborative work on screenplays, focusing on media production. It is available in a desktop version, but effective use requires a commercial account with the software developer. The scripts can be stored in a cloud-based, encrypted form on the manufacturer's servers. In this way, users can also make the scripts accessible to others.
Prezi [6], online presentation software based on HTML5, is quite popular with users. It provides a virtual whiteboard and allows access for up to 10 users. Prezi is available for a subscription fee and does not offer native Linux applications for local editing or presentation playback.
An alternative is Sozi [7], a free plugin for Inkscape, which is functionally very similar to Prezi. However, unlike older Prezi variants, Sozi does not require Adobe's Flash technology, but instead generates SVG graphics.
Infos
- MAPI: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MAPI
- SaaS: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Software_as_a_service
- EtherPad Lite: https://yourpart.eu
- EtherCalc: https://ethercalc.net
- Celtx: https://www.celtx.com
- Prezi: https://prezi.com
- Sozi: http://sozi.baierouge.fr
- Collabora: https://collaboraoffice.com
- Collabora version comparison: https://www.collaboraoffice.com/code/#what_is_code
- Collabora CloudSuite: https://www.collaboraoffice.com/solutions/collabora-cloudsuite/
- Google Docs: https://www.google.com/docs/about/
- OnlyOffice: https://www.onlyoffice.com
- OnlyOffice Enterprise test version: https://www.onlyoffice.com/enterprise-edition-free.aspx
- OnlyOffice Community Edition: https://www.onlyoffice.com/download.aspx
- OnlyOffice Desktop Editors: https://www.onlyoffice.com/download-desktop.aspx
- EGroupware: https://egroupware.org
- EGroupware Community packages: https://software.opensuse.org/download.html?project=server%3AeGroupWare&package=egroupware-epl
Buy this article as PDF
(incl. VAT)
Buy Linux Magazine
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.
News
-
TUXEDO Computers Unveils Linux Laptop Featuring AMD Ryzen CPU
This latest release is the first laptop to include the new CPU from Ryzen and Linux preinstalled.
-
XZ Gets the All-Clear
The back door xz vulnerability has been officially reverted for Fedora 40 and versions 38 and 39 were never affected.
-
Canonical Collaborates with Qualcomm on New Venture
This new joint effort is geared toward bringing Ubuntu and Ubuntu Core to Qualcomm-powered devices.
-
Kodi 21.0 Open-Source Entertainment Hub Released
After a year of development, the award-winning Kodi cross-platform, media center software is now available with many new additions and improvements.
-
Linux Usage Increases in Two Key Areas
If market share is your thing, you'll be happy to know that Linux is on the rise in two areas that, if they keep climbing, could have serious meaning for Linux's future.
-
Vulnerability Discovered in xz Libraries
An urgent alert for Fedora 40 has been posted and users should pay attention.
-
Canonical Bumps LTS Support to 12 years
If you're worried that your Ubuntu LTS release won't be supported long enough to last, Canonical has a surprise for you in the form of 12 years of security coverage.
-
Fedora 40 Beta Released Soon
With the official release of Fedora 40 coming in April, it's almost time to download the beta and see what's new.
-
New Pentesting Distribution to Compete with Kali Linux
SnoopGod is now available for your testing needs
-
Juno Computers Launches Another Linux Laptop
If you're looking for a powerhouse laptop that runs Ubuntu, the Juno Computers Neptune 17 v6 should be on your radar.