Barracuda Networks announced the immediate deployment of firmware version 3.3 for the entire Barracuda Spam Firewall line. This firmware provides several advanced features including new plug-ins for Microsoft Outlook and Lotus Notes that increase Bayesian analysis accuracy.

Microsoft reached an agreement to buy FrontBridge Technologies. The company said the FrontBridge services complement its Exchange Server email and messaging business. Microsoft also said it plans to continue offering the FrontBridge services, including those for other messaging systems, such as IBM’s Lotus Notes.

Carl Honore, journalist and author of "In Praise of Slowness," says that we’re in a situation where the digital communications that were supposed to make working lives run more smoothly are actually preventing people from getting critical tasks accomplished.=20

RenewData, provider of electronic evidence and preservation archiving services for law firms and corporations, announced the release of a new processing tool that enables high volume extraction of Lotus Notes NSF files from backup media. The tool can convert the NSF files to Microsoft Outlook PST format without losing or corrupting attachments.

BEA Systems announced that it has completed the acquisition of Compoze Software. Compoze Software technologies, which are already integrated and will be sold in conjunction with BEA WebLogic Portal, offer portal customers integration of email, calendaring, and task list functionality from Microsoft Exchange and Lotus Notes.

Quadrant Software recently issued an update to its FastFax eFax server software, which is used in OS/400, Windows, and NetWare environments. FastFax version 4.6.1 features a number of enhancements, including support for searchable PDFs, administrative improvements, a new API, and support for the latest products from IBM Lotus and Xerox.

America Online released a new trial version of its AOL Instant Messenger software. Dubbed AIM Triton, the software lets people manage all their contact information from within the IM window, as well as place calls to any phone, send text messages to cell phones, watch Internet TV and listen to online radio. AOL hopes to boost usage even more by adding contact management capabilities, such as automatically retrieving names, email addresses and phone numbers from Microsoft Outlook and Outlook Express.

Do you want your boss to think that you’re working hard at 1am? This article tells you how you can use Outlook to turn back time.

Sproqit Technologies will announce a workgroup version of its Sproqit email tool that gives users remote access to their Outlook inboxes from smartphones and wireless handhelds. Sproqit Workgroup Edition will be available from the end of July and will support up to 50 users. Sproqit currently supports only Microsoft Exchange Server, but the firm plans to add support for Lotus Domino mail systems when it ships Sproqit Enterprise Edition later this year.

MobileVoice, powered by One Voice’s patented voice technology, is a carrier-grade voice solution for voice-dialing, sending and receiving email, voice-to-text messages, mobile conferencing, and voice portal. MobileVoice’s services also contact management synchronization and importing tools for Outlook, Outlook Express, and Lotus Notes.