Kerio has released Kerio Connect 7.3, an update to the cross-platform groupware server that provides email, contacts, and calendaring for Mac OS X , Windows, Linux/Unix, and iOS and Android clients. The new version adds support for iOS 5, adds new configuration tools and profiles for Mac OS X and iOS, and includes administration enhancements.

When setting up using Exchange ActiveSync, the new iOS 5 support enables iOS 5 users to add, delete and rename calendars, read and send S/MIME signed or encrypted emails, and to use the Reminders app to synchronize tasks with the server. Configuration for Mac OS X clients is also easier with a new auto configuration, Account Assistant, which unifies the auto configuration tools for Apple Mail, iCal, Address Book, Microsoft Outlook, and Entourage in a single tool.

The Kerio Outlook Connector tool now comes in 32-bit and 64-bit versions. Clients can use 64-bit versions of Microsoft Outlook and Microsoft Office with the Kerio server. Performance has been significantly increased in both 32-bit and 64-bit versions when performing complex searches and sorting folders with large volumes of mail.

Kerio Connect 7.3 also adds full text Search in WebMail and IMAP, SSL certificates and photos synced to Kerio GAL, and various other improvements.

The Kerio Connect server runs on Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux, and can run on multiple servers working as a distributed domain cluster. The servers in a domain share contacts in global address lists (GAL), and can see each others users, groups, and shared resources, such as conference rooms. Phones can access the GAL, as can computers. Administrators manage the Kerio domain using a web-based Administration Console.

Kerio Connect supports push syncing of contacts and calendars iPhones, Blackberries, and Windows Mobile 5 and 6 devices. It also supports Exchange ActiveSync, so that devices that can sync to Exchange Server can sync to Kerio Connect 7. This includes the Palm Pre and Palm Pixi and Android OS phones, such as the Droid and Nexus.

Kerio Connect Server supports multiple clients on multiple platforms, including Outlook, Entourage, Apple's Address Book, iCal, and Apple Mail, and Kerio's own WebMail.

Kerio Connect 7 starts at $450 for 5 users, with additional user staring at $24.

Related: Kerio Connect 7 new name, new Distributed Domain