Open-Xchange, an open source software developer based in Germany, recently announced a series of major updates to its OX App Suite. Chief among these updates is a redesigned UI, and better integration between the company’s e-mail solution and its productivity software suite (OX Text and OX Spreadsheet).
Before I get into the new, I’d like to quickly lay a bit of foundation for Open-Xchange’s OX App Suite. The first OX App Suite debuted in 2011, and from the get-go, Rafael Laguna, CEO, and his team focused on creating a solution that doesn’t try to copy native application formats for their web-based solutions. In addition, Open-Xchange recognized that many of its users did not “grow up” with native applications, and therefore wanted a cleaner UI for their web applications.
What does this have to do with the company’s recent announcement? Well, Open-Xchange has streamlined the design for its OX App Suite into a “flat UI.” This is actually a growing trend on the web, as the format is optimal for mobile devices, and is less clutter for users. Other UI updates include the enhancement of drop-down menus, more flexible viewing options, including compact, detail, list and horizontal views for e-mail messages, more color schemes, as well as the addition of “Advanced Mode.” The Advanced Mode allows users to further personalize their application by adding custom features without cluttering the usability of the suite.
Rafael Laguna spoke a bit about the UI update this week: “The flat design approach is the direction in which most modern web apps are headed. Google for example has previewed its new flat design, but as yet is still to bring it to market,” he said. “A lot of work has gone towards integrating the flat design aesthetic into OX App Suite, and we’re now at a stage where we can share our cutting edge design with the public before many other application developers have moved beyond the concept design stage.”
As mentioned above, the OX Productivity solutions: OX Text (documents) and OX Spreadsheet, are now better integrated into the full app suite, allowing for a seamless transition between e-mail and document via the toolbar. In addition, OX Text users can view real-time edits to documents, while OX Spreadsheet users have gained access to more types of graphs and charts.
The OX App Suite is currently available worldwide as either on-premises open source software or as a free download. The company also plans to have a fully-hosted version (OXaaS) available later in 2014.
