The Open-Xchange suite offers almost the same range of functions as other collaboration solutions. However, there are more advantages due to the software’s open design, which in turn is based on the open source concept of the project. Various developers have worked on the OX App Suite - among them some programmers who developed OpenOffice earlier.
Users probably notice the open approach in OX Documents the most. Unlike other providers, this software does not have its own file format. Instead, files from Microsoft Office, OpenOffice, and LibreOffice can be opened and edited easily - without messing up the formatting of the documents. At the same time, it is possible to work with other people on a document without them having to use OX Documents.
A further advantage, which indirectly has something to do with the open source community, is data protection. Microsoft and Google are repeatedly criticized for not sufficiently protecting their users’ data. The OX App Suite, on the other hand, is designed to comply with GDPR. If users access the application package from a German hosting provider, they know they’re relying on a data protection-compliant solution.
There are some advantages with the cloud-based approach. The suite is not intended to be installed on a home PC. Users that have less technical experience should always choose a solution that is already installed on a server. Even for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), setting up everything in the local network could be very tedious therefore it’s best to rely on a hosting provider to do the job. Larger companies, however, can also make OX App Suite available to their employees via their own data center.