February 13, 2006 | 12:00am
| New look and feel for IM client interface |
A completely new instant messaging client interface that provides an attractive look and feel and features that will be familiar to users of public instant messaging clients. In addition to enhanced security features, privacy settings and location awareness capabilities, Lotus Sametime simplifies connections with other instant messaging platforms and has embedded VoIP capabilities, allowing users to talk directly through their PCs with a simple click of a mouse.
| Expanded platform support |
This year, IBM plans to add Lotus Sametime 7.5 client support for Apple’s Mac OS X version 10.4 "Tiger" and Linux. Expanding platform support for Lotus Sametime provides customers with flexibility and more enterprise IM options, and extends Lotus Sametime to new classes of users.
By leveraging Eclipse, Lotus Sametime users get access to new "plug-in" capabilities, such as audio/video extensions, location-oriented or "mapping" applications and corporate calendar integration.
| New Web conferencing interface |
Completely new user-experience designed with tools and technologies to make it easier to create and more effectively manage online meetings. Lotus Sametime 7.5 now allows for multiple presenters, provides the ability to edit/modify presentations during a Web conference and share applications, makes it easier to enter meetings, and automatically reconnects users to their meeting if a disruption or network disconnection occurs.
Social networking capabilities
Leveraging Lotus Sametime’s new Eclipse-based application platform, businesses can tap into the collective knowledge of their employees through instant polls, focused broadcasts to members of a specific community, context-sensitive chat rooms and the automated capture and storage of ad hoc information that can be searched for future reference.
| Real-time collaboration ‘gateway’ |
Lotus Sametime 7.5 will also feature a new advanced, multi-protocol real-time collaboration "gateway" to increase the ease and manageability of enterprise-to-enterprise and enterprise-to-public network connections. The gateway will initially be based on SIP (session initiation protocol), a growing standard for instant messaging technology.
| Integration with IBM Workplace software |
Also planned to serve as the instant messaging client for future editions of IBM Workplace Collaboration Services, Lotus Sametime 7.5 will provide an identical user experience while working with both Lotus Sametime and Workplace Collaboration Services servers.
