IBM Lotus Instant Messaging & Web Conferencing 3
Overview
IBM Lotus Instant Messaging & Web Conferencing (formerly Lotus Sametime) continues to be the premier real-time collaboration software for business use. Version 3 provides a rich platform for secure real-time collaboration through its presence awareness, instant messaging and Web conferencing capabilities, which results in reduced travel expenses and increased productivity for any organization. With the delivery of Version 3’s IM Gateway, IBM Lotus is the first major software vendor to provide secure instant messaging and presence awareness interoperability across instant messaging communities. In addition to the IM Gateway, Version 3 includes the new Links Toolkit, allowing users to transform names appearing in other business applications into active links, eliminating the need for a formal buddy list in order to initiate chats or e-meetings with colleagues. The new multimedia features of Version 3 provide audio designed to eliminate echoes as well as 360degree visual capabilities for users facilitating audio and video-based online meetings. Version 3 also enhances the e-meeting experience with tools such as Single Sign On (SSO) that allow users to move from one environment to the other, without having to re-enter passwords.
Lotus Instant Messaging & Web Conferencing 3 Increased Functionality
IM Gateway -- Organizations can now securely exchange presence awareness and instant messages with other Lotus IM communities, using the industry standard Session Initiation Protocol (SIP). More than just allowing users to have buddies from other companies, this new capability allows organizations to deepen the bonds between trusted customers and business partners and to exploit entirely new and innovative channels of communication, while maintaining the peace of mind that information being exchanged is safe, secure and able to be logged for regulatory compliance and knowledge management initiatives. Links Toolkit -- This innovative new toolkit lets developers turn any name in an application into an actionable link. Companies can use this toolkit to easily enable Web applications with presence awareness and instant messaging to get more value from their Lotus investment. Version 3 is delivering the first enterprise real-time collaboration platform that takes instant messaging beyond the simple buddy list. Calendar Integration -- New features for integration with the Lotus meeting center allow users to schedule and attend meetings from almost any client, including their browser, IBM Lotus Notes 6, Microsoft Outlook or IBM Lotus Team Workplaces. Users can now exploit Lotus-based online meetings by using whichever form of client access they prefer. Audio/Video Improvements -- Version 3 will support 360-degree video, allowing e-meeting participants to capture multiple attendees in one room. Audio improvements eliminate echoes resulting from the proximity of users’ microphones to computer speakers. Reliability and Manageability -- Version 3 offers organizations even greater control over e-meeting reliability with clustering, load balancing and fail over features. New reporting and statistic gathering features provide administrators with better insights into how the tools are being used. Because real-time communication is becoming as mission-critical to businesses as e-mail, Version 3 is more manageable, scalable and enterprise-ready than ever. Single Sign On (SSO) – Lotus’ support for SSO through Lightweight Third Party Authentication (LTPA) enables users to easily move from one application and environment to another, without having to re-enter passwords. SSO also translates into easier administration and management of Lotus Instant Messaging & Web Conferencing.
Enterprise Meeting Server -- An optional feature for those who choose to manage e-meetings themselves, this IBM WebSphere-based front-end Meeting Center enables large enterprises to better manage a globally distributed online meeting environment.
Core Lotus Instant Messaging & Web Conferencing Features and Benefits
Administration Tools and Application Development Capabilities – Lotus IM offers tools for administrators such as multiple LDAP directory support, easy access to all processes and a client packager for creating optimized Sametime Connect installations. Business partners and value-added resellers can create and customize applications to meet specific business needs using the toolkit. Lotus offers a range of developer tools via the Java Toolkit. Awareness – Lotus IM provides a range of awareness tools appropriate for different situations and applications. Users can set up a personal buddy list of people, or groups of people, with whom they frequently communicate. It’s also simple to thread presence awareness throughout your network to maximize the benefits derived from Lotus Instant Messaging. Conversation -- The Sametime Connect client gives customers the ability to choose the method of communication that is appropriate to the user, whether that is an instant message, live audio and videobased conversation or an instant e-meeting. Application Sharing -- In online meetings, Lotus Web Conferencing enables users to share any application or document on their desktop with others. Virtual Whiteboarding -- Another e-meeting feature, the virtual whiteboard lets participants draw and annotate ideas for all other participants to see. AOL Instant Messaging (AIM) Interoperability – Lotus Instant Messaging users can chat with any AOL AIM member, extending and enhancing internal and external communications with online colleagues. Enhanced Firewall Support – Lotus Instant Messaging & Web Conferencing contains client-side support for proxies, including HTTP, HTTPS, SOCKS4 and SOCKS5, so users can share applications through standard Internet connections. All data streams, including the Multimedia Services, are encrypted. URL Support -- Lotus instant messages and chat sessions support live URL links for direct access to information on the Web. And since no client other than a browser is needed, it’s simple to invite anyone you want to do business with. Privacy and Security -- Privacy features allow users to control who can see or contact them online. Lotus utilizes authentication and access control to identify users. Lotus chat sessions and online meetings are secured over the Internet by encryption. Enterprise Integration -- IT managers can utilize the built-in directory service in Lotus Instant Messaging & Web Conferencing or leverage information stored in existing Domino or LDAP directories.
System Requirements and Pricing
Server Requirements Lotus Instant Messaging & Web Conferencing requires one server computer for installation that meets these requirements: CPU: Pentium® II 400MHz (or higher) Operating system: Microsoft® Windows NT® Server with Service Pack 6a, Windows® 2000 Server, or Windows Advanced Server with Service Pack 2 Memory: Windows NT - 1 GB RAM recommended; 512MB minimum Windows 2000 - 1 GB RAM recommended; 512MB minimum
Disk space: 1GB+ free disk space recommended to allow space for meetings; 500MB minimum Disk swap space: 64MB Client Requirements The client system requirements for operation with the Lotus Instant Messaging & Web Conferencing server (and Multimedia Services) include: CPU: Pentium II 266MHz (or higher) Operating system: Windows 95 OSR2 Windows 98 Windows 98SE Windows NT Workstation 4.0 SP6a Windows 2000 Professional SP2 Windows XP RAM: 128 MB RAM or higher for Windows 2000 Professional, Windows NT 4 Workstation, or Windows XP 96 MB RAM or higher for Windows 98SE, Windows 98, or Windows 95 OSR Pricing Lotus Instant Messaging & Web Conferencing is priced at $38 per registered user OR $25,700 per processor for unlimited extranet use.