Last updated: Wed, Nov 30, 2005

This is the generic (non-technical) sales FAQ.

If you have technical support questions, please visit the Support pages for a technical FAQ.

Where can I buy GroupVille? What options are there to install/use GroupVille?
If you know someone familiar with general server deployment or have an internal IT support, you can purchase GroupVille online.

Your online orders will be processed securely on the Kagi Internet Store. KAGI processes payments for over 7000 software vendors since 1995.

Starting with GroupVille version 2.1.2 and later you can install GroupVille on virtually any Java2-compliant server platform using Tomcat. We are or will be working on support on Mac OS X Server, Windows, Linux and possibly Solaris.

Other customers may want to buy a software and hardware bundle package (with everything preinstalled) or will want to connect to a GroupVille environment hosted on the Internet (Application Service Providing). We have partners providing either or both services. You can set up individual agreements with the reseller of your choice. Please have a look at our list of resellers and integrators.

What is the difference between ordinary GV resellers/partners and GV resellers/partners with a "premium partner certification" badge ?

GroupVille resellers with the badge have passed an additional examination by Sendai Systems which tests their knowledge in:

• GroupVille deployment techniques (using WebObjects deployment and Apache Tomcat on OS X Server and possibly other platforms.
• General GroupVille support (inital setup, productive use, security and backup questions).

 
Who should use GroupVille ?
Workgroups, organizations, school, universities, small-and-medium enterprises, etc. in need of an easy-to-use collaboration tool with low set-up and administration costs - are ideal environments.

Ongoing maintenance and lifecycle costs are very low since GroupVille is accessible worldwide from a web browser.

Even in private/home office environments (using a simple server setup like DynDNS.org or similar), GroupVille is useful thanks to the free 3-user license.

Thanks to its foundations (application server and SQL database), GroupVille is scalable to many users as your organization grows.

What will the next release(s) of GroupVille 2.x likely include? Do you have a roadmap ?
We plan to offer support for LDAP and additional import/export filters as well as support for internal modules and a new Java SDK for the GV 2.x series.

The next major updates after GroupVille 2.1 includes the new Data (document management) module, layout improvements, support for deployment on Apache Tomcat as well as GV Project support.

Please note that all updates to the 2.x series (eg. GV 2.2 or 2.5) will be free of charge for current customers with a support contract.

Detailed Roadmaps will be available after the final GV 2.2 release (version numbers 2.2.x) is available.

What do I need to get started with GroupVille 2 on my server / network ?
A computer running Mac OS X Server 10.3, OS X 10.4 (Server), Linux, Solaris or Windows2000 servers upon request from customers), this is your server.

A number of clients connected to the server on a local TCP/IP network or over the Internet (standard http:// connections).

For testing purposes, you may access GroupVille on the same machine (access the server on localhost with your web browser).

A free 3-user version allows you to use GroupVille without any time limits for productive use.

(Please note that an unlimited deployment version of WebObjects 5 is included for free with Mac OS X Server software or server hardware from Apple. If you use Tomcat, you don't need to install WebObjects separately, just install the GroupVille application and the SQL database (Frontbase)).
 

What do I need as clients ? Which browsers are officially supported ?
Since GroupVille is web-based, all you need is a modern web browser on your Windows or Macintosh client machines to access it.. You don't need to worry about mixed client environments. A detailed list of supported browsers is available here:

What about other unsupported browsers ?
You can still access GroupVille on unsupported browsers or systems if your browser supports CSS and Javascript.

However, using our special browser upload plugin is only available on supported browsers on Windows and Macintosh clients.

Since GroupVille version 212, you can use other upload mechanisms such as http uploads and/or GV Data (which utilizes the WebDAV standard) on unsupported systems as well as supported systems.
 

What about the GV Mobile client ? Which smart phones and PDA devices (Palm OS, Pocket PC, Linux PDAs..) are supported ?
Our reference client browser is the Opera browser on Sony Ericsson P800 / P9x0 devices. Other mobile clients - eg. using Symbian or Windows Mobile - supporting HTML 3.0 or HTML 4.0 and about 320 x 200 pixels screen space can also access GroupVille Mobile Client fine.

Is GroupVille available on an external server as an ASP (Application Service Providing) solution or as pre-configured hardware bundle?
Yes, some of our resellers are offering GroupVille as an ASP solution. Some of them also offer online demo versions of GroupVille so you can test drive it. Please have a look at our list of resellers and integrators.

Can I install/run more than one GroupVille environment on one server machine ?
Yes, this option is available for advanced users. Please read the readme included in the software download. To give you a quick answer, you basically just need to rename the GroupVille application and the database names each time).

Please note the mobile client package does only support the default GroupVille application (GroupVille.woa) at this time.

 
Is there a free license ? How much are paid licenses?

Our prices for GroupVille range from free (3 users, no personal support) and paid versions from $495 (5 users) to a cap of $ 10000 (site license). Please note this  includes the server and the clients licences as well as bundled relational database and our pricing scheme is considered by all standards a very competitive offer.

Are there discounts for academic/educational institutions?
Yes, we offer 30% discounts to academic institutions (proof of eligibility required). Please see our detailed price list here.

We are also giving away 10 copies of GroupVille to nonprofit organizations and academic institutions with limited financial resources each fiscal year. Please contact us at oesch@studiosendai.com for more information.
 
Do I really need nothing else on the software side?
All you need in addition to the GroupVille installer (which you can download from our web site) is a copy of WebObjects. WebObjects is a Java application server. A deployment license is included for free with all Apple server hardware.
 
Will I receive a CD-ROM and printed manuals with your software?
Customers will only receive a CD if you request it since GroupVille is only about 25 MB in size (Tomcat deployment option: About 100 MB). You can download GroupVille directly from the Internet. We will send you a unique license file that allows you to run the software when we receive confirmation of your payment (from KAGI.com), so you can start using GroupVille immediately. Some days later, you will receive a PDF receipt.

 
What is your update policy?
Minor revisions of GroupVille (such as 2.1 or 2.2) are available for free to customers of GroupVille 2.0 (any version). As a special offer, we have a free upgrade for the version of GroupVille for WebObjects 5 for all current customers of GroupVille 1.x. Additional language support kits will also be made available for free as they become available.

 
What are the additional support options ?
At 15% of your license price per year you will benefit from unlimited e-mail support and software upgrades for the covered period. Please refer to our pricing page for more details.

Can I test a free demo version of GroupVille ?
Yes, there is even a non-expiring license included. This allows you to download a fully functional demo version of GroupVille for up to 3 users and test GroupVille it in productive use.

Some of our resellers (and Sendai Systems) have GroupVille demo servers on the Internet, so you can test-drive GroupVille there as well. Please contact Mr. Marc Oesch at oesch@studiosendai.com for access.


Will GroupVille be translated into other languages?
GroupVille 2 or later includes English, German, French, Dutch, Spanish, Portuguese, Danish (partial support) and Swedish localizations. Users can set their language preferences individually. Translations into Italian, Chinese and Japanese are underway for GroupVille 2.x
If you would like to help localize GroupVille into a different language than those listed above, contact Mr. Marc Oesch at oesch@studiosendai.com.
 
Where can I learn more about FrontBase (the relational database included with GroupVille) ?
Frontbase is an advanced SQL92-compliant relational database server from FrontBase, Denmark/USA. You can visit the following website to learn more about FrontBase and its features: <http://www.frontbase.com/>.
 

Can I get additional GroupVille support?
Yes, you can buy additional an additional support pack at 15% of the license price per year (support is available in English, French and German language at this time) through our online store. This includes free GroupVille code updates for the covered period.

You can of course set up additional individual agreements (such as rapid response, per incident or even on-site support) with any GroupVille reseller/integrator worldwide.if you have specific additional needs.

Additional support for Frontbase (the bundled database) and Frontbase backup/recovery is also available at Frontbase.com
 
Will GroupVille work with other SQL databases?
We can add support for other database servers if this is really needed. However, we think the bundled Frontbase is a great database system. It comes bundled with GroupVille for free and we do think you will be happy with its performance.

If you purchase GroupVille and need to use PostgreSQL 8.x, Openbase 8.x, or Sybase 12.x databases, please contact us for details. We plan to add PostgreSQL 8.x support to the GroupVille 2.x series

 
You once planned to have a native client for Mac OS X. Is it still in development ?
No. Further development of a native client has been canceled Instead, we instead offer syncing data as well as a mobile HTML client for people on the go.

A alternative 'thin' client UI will be available in 2006 for Windows and Macintosh for GroupVille 2.x servers, it is an optional add-on much like the GV Mobile client. The main GV 'clients' will remain web browsers, also thanks to recent advances in browser user interfaces and technologies (buzzword: AJAX).
 
What about the GroupVille SDK (Software Development Kit) and API ?
We understand that customizing GroupVille to your needs is important to some of you. We are working hard in order to make a new Java SDK available as soon as possible in the GV 2.x series.

Please note that web services and external server applications can already be linked with GroupVille as of today, the SDK will only be need for 'internal' modules. Please also see our developer pages for additional details and updates.

I still haven't found what I'm looking for. Where can I find additional information or ask questions?
You can get technical online support in the Support Area.
If you want to give us feedback, please use the following e-mail addresses:
general and business: marc@sendaisystems.com
bug reports: bugs@sendaisystems.com
 
History Trivia: Are GroupVille and "Project X" the same?
Yes. Project X was the internal project name for GroupVille 1.0 for Rhapsody clients and web clients. Starting with the public previews of GroupVille 1.x in Autumn 1999, Project X has been renamed GroupVille.

Warning: This page may contain forward-looking statements and may be dependent on materials, events or software not available at present - for instance, but not limited to, (i) Apple's pending release and release date of Mac OS X and (ii) further releases of Mac OS X Server, Mac OS X and WebObjects. While it is our best intent to make the information below as accurate as possible at the time of writing, Sendai cannot be held responsible for any feature not implemented, product announcement, (announced) product not released or action not taken by Sendai, makers of bundled software or any third party.