IBM Sametime
IBM shared the same issue
as many other companies, how to best communicate, collaborate and share
knowledge across the organization in a cost and time efficient manner. To solve
this issue IBM released a solution called IBM Sametime in 2007, which is also
licensed out to other enterprises.
IBM Sametime is an
award-winning middleware platform and also utilizes
client-server architecture for unified communication and collaboration. It
provides real-time social communication with features like instant messages,
online presence indicators and community collaboration. It additionally
supports online meetings with voice and videos, and is available for mobile
phones. IBM is constantly improving and developing Sametime, and the features
available depends on the version chosen. To support the needs of the enterprises IBM have three versions available,entry software, standard
software and advanced software.
Features and benefits of
the advanced software
Instant message (IM)
Waiting for the response
of a mail or a phone call often takes time. IM is often the first point of
contact when contacting colleagues, specially if its regarding minor questions,
need of immediate help, or just to check if a person is available for a phone
call. It is also used for more complex questions and longer conversations,
especially with colleagues that are not in the same location or country.
Through IM, knowledge gets shared quickly and easy across the organization, and
doubts get solved immediately. Files can be shared, chats can be saved and it
is possible to create a contact list with the most frequent contacts and easily
search for new contacts. Connection through IM can significantly reduce
the ongoing conversations that typically occur through email, helping to reduce
the amount of emails.
Mobile
The mobile features that
are available for Apple iOS, Google Android, BlackBerry®, Nokia Symbian and
Microsoft Windows Mobile handheld devices, extends many of the capabilities
from the desktop Sametime to the mobile device. This helps the people to stay
connected and informed wherever they are working from, making availability even
better. This helps improving the commitment and engagement and encourage
ownership of the projects.
Online meetings
It is possible to easily
move from a text chat to a voice/video chat and online meeting. Screens can be
shared, as well as files and applications. Meeting material can be uploaded in
advance, and no meeting room with space to a large group is needed to be reserved.
Expensive travels are avoided to bring people together despite geographical
distances.
Telephony
Telephone expenses can be
reduced substantially as the feature is integrated into the unified
communication and collaboration platform, and calls can be made directly from
the computer via integrated VoIP systems.
Voice and video
By using videos and voice
communications a lot of confusions can be avoided. It can also provide a richer
communication experience, as tone and emotions are transmitted, which can help
to engage, create a relationship and trust among the colleagues.
Rich presence awareness
The presence awareness is
the cornerstone of any unified communication solution as it allows you to see who’s
logged on and available, so you spend less time searching to find a
professional who can clarify questions or help speed up the business process.
You can choose the status yourself like for example “available”, “in a
meeting”, or “do not disturb” if you are very busy. You can even customize the
status message to what you are doing exactly in that moment. It is also
possible to get alerts when people become available, if there is someone you
really need to speak to urgently, but are logged off or have a status of “do
not disturb”.
Community collaboration
This feature helps to get
organizational knowledge and connect the people. It allows you to have group
chats and to contact people you don't know and build a substantial network with
clients, business partners and suppliers.
Platform
Sametime supports multiple
servers, e-mail platforms and directories like Microsoft office productivity
software, Lotus collaboration products, portal and web applications. It is not
needed to rip and replace. It is also possible to start small and then upgrade
gradually, adjusting to the company’s need. It has extensive security features
and constant available support. It can be integrated as an IBM Sametime plug-in
or through a third-party application.
There is no doubt that
this kind of collaboration tools benefits the companies, making collaboration
easier across geographically dispersed locations, however it is important that
companies educate the users, and create a code of conduct of usage otherwise it
might serve against its purpose.
Source:
IBM.com
