New Features and Improvements in MailStore 13

Our new version, with a few new features and numerous improvements, will please not only administrators but also end-users and business owners. "We have divided these features into four main categories," explains MailStore Product Manager Björn Meyn. "Firstly, we have improved the interaction of our software with cloud-based services such as Microsoft 365 and Google G Suite, enabling much easier integration with these services. The second focus of MailStore 13 is to support modern authentication via OAuth2 and OpenID Connect. Enhanced security and an advanced user experience are our third and fourth main categories. Long-time MailStore customers will recognize that we take these two topics very seriously and they definitely play an important role in every version.

What can administrators expect from v13?

MailStore 13 offers several new features and improvements that make life easier for administrators. Some of the features particularly important for administrators are:

Enhanced Support for Cloud-Based Services and Modern Authentication

MailStore Server and MailStore Service Provider Edition (SPE) now support OAuth2 and OpenID Connect, significantly enhancing the integration of MailStore with the cloud environments of Microsoft 365 and Google G Suite. This is good news for administrators, because not only does it make MailStore more user-friendly when used together with these cloud-based services, but it also enhances security. Administrators can now use the same settings (e.g., including multi-factor authentication) for Microsoft 365 or Google G Suite clients for MailStore Server without having to enable old authentication or less secure application access. The new two-step login process mimics the login routines used in modern web applications, and MailStore no longer has to process users' passwords during authentication.

In addition, the newly separated Microsoft 365 archiving and export profiles make it easier for administrators to configure their profiles. Here too, the support for modern OAuth2 authentication not only improves security but also enhances integration with Microsoft 365.

MailStore Version 13 offers advanced integration with Microsoft 365 - for example, through a new user synchronization path to support modern authentication.

Dedicated archiving profiles for Microsoft 365 make the IT administrator's job easier.

Network Share Management

MailStore Server administrators can now benefit from advanced management of network share settings. These settings can now be managed more conveniently and securely via MailStore Server's Service Configuration rather than via a startup script - for example, when using a NAS.

Group Policies

Creating group policies for MailStore Client and MailStore Outlook Add-in is now easier than ever: When it comes to MailStore Server, templates are now included during installation, while in SPE they can be downloaded from the default page of the Client Access Server. In Version 13, these templates are available in all languages supported by MailStore.

Certificate Validation

Another development for MailStore Server and SPE administrators is the new certificate validation. This aligns with the verification process used in most major web browsers and allows administrators to create and apply standardized security and certificate policies for all MailStore clients (MailStore Client, Outlook Add-in, and Web Access).

Only Encrypted Connections

In Version 13, support for unencrypted connections to MailStore Server has been completely removed. As a result, administrators can be sure that all MailStore Server installations only allow encrypted connections for archiving, which is especially useful for administrators managing several installations.

Let's Encrypt™ Certificates

Administrators can now specify a port that needs to be listened for the validation requirements of MailStore Server's Let's Encrypt™ TLS Certificates, thereby preventing port conflicts when, for example, MailStore Server is running alongside other services on a computer or when only a limited number of IP addresses are available. This simplifies the use of Let's Encrypt certificates.

MailStore Gateway

In Version 13, administrators can now see at a glance how many messages are in a mailbox via the MailStore Gateway. The new version still allows for the forced deletion of mailboxes that contain messages. In addition, if the standard port is used by other applications or if the administrator wants to convert it to a standard HTTPS Connection Point 443, the Management Web Interface port can be changed.

How Will End Users Benefit from the New Version?

MailStore 13 also offers several new and improved features aimed at simplifying archiving for end users. These include:

Modern Authentication

Users of MailStore Server and SPE can now log in using traditional Microsoft 365 or Google G Suite login credentials. Therefore, they no longer have to remember separate passwords for MailStore, but can simply use their Microsoft 365 or Google G Suite login credentials. In this way, they can also take advantage of additional security features such as multi-factor authentication from these cloud-based services when accessing their archives.

Removal of Mobile Web Access

Previously, customers using Mobile Web Access for MailStore Server and SPE can now use our modern and secure responsive Web Access. The old Mobile Web Access is no longer available in Version 13.

Client-Based Improvements

Users of MailStore Server and SPE benefit from a number of improvements in accessing and using the archive. Particularly, the loading time for the responsive Web Access has been significantly reduced. In addition, various small improvements have been made for smoother search experience on mobile devices and all web components have been comprehensively updated. The responsive screen on mobile devices has also been significantly improved, and now offers a wider reading area. Incidentally, the new "jump to folder" function allows you to directly jump to the desired folder by clicking on the folder path in the message view, making it even easier to find emails related to the same project or shared folder. Time information is also displayed next to the date in the MailStore Client's message list.

Clicking on the folder path takes you directly to the relevant folder.

Only Encrypted Connections

In Version 13, unencrypted connections to MailStore Server are no longer supported. This means that end users receive fewer warning messages when using a modern web browser to access the archive and can be confident in secure connections with MailStore Server. It is also easier for end users to verify the security of a connection via their browser (e.g., via the lock symbol in Chrome's address bar). This is particularly useful when using untrusted connections, such as public Wi-Fi networks at airports.

Certificate Validation

This has been aligned with the certificate validation routines of the most important web browsers in both MailStore Server and SPE, allowing end users to identify security policy violations across all clients (MailStore Client, Outlook Add-in, and Web Access).

Why Should Business Owners Wait for V13 with Bated Breath?

It goes without saying that when email processing is simplified for administrators and end users, management also benefits. In addition, there are three particular arguments in favor of MailStore 13 for business owners:

Enhanced Support for Cloud-Based Services and Modern Authentication

Business owners can be assured that our philosophy of permanently supporting current industry standards and technologies is an important part of our approach, ensuring that their investment in MailStore is secure in the long run - and this applies to important cloud-based services such as Microsoft 365 and Google G Suite as well.

Encrypted Connections and Standardized Certificate Validation

Business owners can also be assured that MailStore's software will continuously raise its security concept in line with industry standards and security recommendations. In addition, we always keep the needs and IT infrastructure of small and medium-sized businesses in mind. Our slogan is "Security by Default". This makes MailStore a reliable and long-term choice for email archiving solutions.

GDPR Certified

As in the previous version, MailStore Server 13 has been meticulously checked by an independent data protection expert in accordance with the rules of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). This certificate confirms that MailStore Server, when used appropriately, meets the personal data processing requirements specified in the GDPR. Thanks to these regular and independent software checks, business owners can be assured that MailStore Server helps them fulfill their GDPR obligations, for example by defining complex retention policies. The official certificate of the inspection results can be requested by interested customers and partners via sales@mailstore.com. Registered MailStore partners can also download the certificate from our Partner Portal.

For managed service providers who offer email archiving as a service to their customers via MailStore Service Provider Edition, the following applies: MailStore SPE version 13 has been checked and approved in accordance with the GDPR of the European Union against the same criteria as MailStore Server. Registered MailStore partners can download the certificate from our Partner Portal or request it via email at partners@mailstore.com.

Source: MailStore Version 13: Enhanced Support for Cloud Email Services