IBM, RIM to roll out new Lotus collaboration features and developer tools
ConvergenceAsia staff
21/01/2009

IBM and Research In Motion (RIM) have introduced new Lotus collaboration features and developer tools on the BlackBerry platform that will enable greater access to live expertise and collective intelligence through BlackBerry smartphones.

The new features will help customers find expertise, form teams, share information, and staying touch in real time making them more effective and productive while on the go.

"The new Lotus collaboration features and developer tools on the BlackBerry platform will deliver productivity beyond the office extending IBM software and services so that individuals can access all of the resources they need to keep their business moving, anytime, anywhere," said Bob Picciano, general manager, IBM Lotus Software.

This initiative is in response to the explosion of mobility worldwide. IBM's Institute for Business Value predicts one billion mobile Web users by 2011 and a significant shift in the way the majority of people will interact with the Web over the next decade.

"Team collaboration shouldn't stall when employees are on the road or away from their desk," said Jim Balsillie, Co-CEO, Research In Motion. "RIM and IBM are strengthening the BlackBerry platform for Lotus with a portfolio of enterprise social networking and collaboration capabilities that will make BlackBerry smartphones even more effective in mobilising businesses around the globe."

IBM and RIM are rolling out these features and tools for BlackBerry smartphones in the coming months: Symphony document viewing and the new capabilities for Connections will be available in the second quarter; and the Quickr and Designer offerings are planned for availability in the second half of 2009.

Additionally, IBM Lotus Notes, Domino and Sametime unified communications and collaboration software, which has worked on the BlackBerry platform for several years, is now also compatible with the new BlackBerry Storm smartphone.

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