Shared Spaces ... the Collaboration Advisor

Shared Spaces Briefing, Apr 22

Today's highlights: Desired Features from 'Collaboration Software'; Visto gets Vodafone; Livelink Unified ECM Platform;

• Findings from a survey on open source collaboration software. Newsforge Business. Key desired features ("very important" or "important"):




• 76% ... file sharing


• 75% ... email threaded discussions


• 73% ... conduct online meetings


• ... least important: text messaging (15%), and desktop and application sharing (12%)




• Vodafone Spain launched Vodafone Real Mail, a wireless email service for its 10 million subscribers. Real Mail is powered by Visto's Visto Mobile 5 platform and ConstantSync, for instant two-way delivery of email. Visto's platform supports a range of mobile devices, but not the BlackBerry. Available immediately. Visto


• Open Text introduced the Livelink ECM Platform, a unified platform for content management that incorporates user, content and process services. New capabilities: integrates the IXOS content archiving technology. The platform now offers collaboration capabilities, document and content management, compliance, email and records management, ERP integration, and archiving and storage management. OpenText

This Briefing was written by Michael Sampson, of Shared Spaces Research & Consulting Ltd. Email or IM Michael to discuss any of these items further.

Shared Spaces Briefing, Apr 21

Today's highlights: Aftermail Meeting and New Customer; Nortel Office Anywhere; New customer for CoCreate OneSpace.net; DynoPlex and ShareMethods; Polycom in Asia Pacific; Sendia Wireless Workspace 2.0;

• I finally managed to meet up with Rod Drury, CEO of Aftermail yesterday in Wellington. Aftermail embodies great ideas ... and good execution ... and is well worth investigating. Earlier this week Aftermail announced a new customer for its email archiving offering: a government agency in Luxembourg. Well done! stuff.co.nz


• Nortel announced Office Anywhere, a mobility solution that provides mobile remote and secure access to unified communications and collaborative applications across multiple network types. A free 60-day trial of the Nortel offering is available, using hosted software. BusinessWire


• New customer for CoCreate OneSpace.net, a collaborative workspace for product design: Metz Werke GmbH & Co. Hoped for benefits: faster and better communication between distributed team members, better decisions, and less travel time, among others. tenlinks.com


• ShareMethods announced a partnership with DynoPlex, to enable access to ShareMethod's document management service from BlackBerry handheld devices. The integration will enable mobile sales and marketing professionals to get up-to-date sales and marketing documents for their customers. ShareMethods (Warning! PDF)


• Polycom is adding employee headcount and better service operations in the Asia Pacific region during 2005. It wants to increase the market penetration of its voice, data and Web conferencing products. Polycom has a strategic partnership with Microsoft for integration between the Polycom line and Microsoft's real-time collaboration products. ComputerWorld Australia


• Sendia Corporation released Version 2.0 of Wireless WorkSpace, a platform for extending enterprise applications to mobile devices. Includes a server, a client-side application, a management console, and a developer toolkit. Available immediately. Sendia

This Briefing was written by Michael Sampson, of Shared Spaces Research & Consulting Ltd. Email or IM Michael to discuss any of these items further.

Shared Spaces Briefing, Apr 20

Today's highlights: Microsoft and RIM; Lotus and RIM; Novell and RIM; Microsoft and Mobile Devices; C-Search Support for IBM WebSphere Information Integrator; Reuters IM On; Chili Systems and Kerio;

• Microsoft and Research In Motion announced a product collaboration and joint market agreement to enable RIM BlackBerry users to access the Microsoft Office Live Communications Server for enterprise IM while out-and-about. The integration works through the BlackBerry Enterprise Server. RIM is developing a LCS Client for the BlackBerry. Expected availability is late 4Q2005. Microsoft


• IBM and Research In Motion announced instant messaging integration between the BlackBerry Enterprise Server and IBM Lotus Instant Messaging and Web Conferencing. The Lotus Instant Messaging Client for BlackBerry will give IM and presence capabilities for mobile workers. Available late 4Q2005. RIM


• Novell and RIM announced a joint go-to-market strategy for presence and IM, involving the integration of Novell GroupWise Messenger and the BlackBerry Enterprise Server. GroupWise Messenger is the IM component of GroupWise 6.5. RIM


• Microsoft announced that it is extending Office Live Communications Server 2005 to mobile devices, enabling mobile workers to access its presence and IM services from small form-factor devices. The new Windows Mobile client will be available in beta in 2H2005. Microsoft


• C-Search Limited announced that its C-Search search product for IBM Lotus Notes and Domino ships with support for WebSphere Information Integrator Omnifind Edition, enabling Omnifind to integrate with the C-Search indexes for monitoring Notes and Domino databases. Available immediately. prweb.com


• Reuters puts Reuters Messenger back online on Friday, after turning off the system on Thursday due to a worm outbreak. CRN


• Chili Systems announced a technology and marketing partnership with Kerio Technologies, with the intention of providing small and medium-sized businesses with a hosted enterprise-class collaboration system. The ChiliMail service is a hosted edition of Kerio's email and groupware offering. Available immediately. BusinessWire

This Briefing was written by Michael Sampson, of Shared Spaces Research & Consulting Ltd. Email or IM Michael to discuss any of these items further.

Shared Spaces Briefing, Apr 19

Today's highlights: Bubbler and Intercomm Changes; Adobe and Macromedia; Netframeworks SafeSpaceSoftware; WebMessenger; iAnywhere for BlackBerry; SkypeIn and Skype Voicemail;

• In an email to Intercomm and Bubbler users, Five Across CEO Glenn Reid foreshadowed coming changes. On May 16, all users will be upgraded to InterComm Pro, an element of its new paid subscription-Bubbler service, for hosted drag-and-drop website and blog creation, as well as file sharing. Retail pricing from May 16 will be $199 per year, although Five Across is offering $49 for two years for customers who sign up before midnight April 20. Five Across


• Adobe purchased Macromedia, for $3.4 billion. Reasons: (a) more bulk to compete against Microsoft, and (b) new capabilities for Adobe for delivering rich media tools. InfoWorld


• Netframeworks released SafeSpaceSoftware, for group-oriented collaborative work. Its "Group Information Manager" combines elements of email, groupware, VPNs, file sharing, and PIM. Includes multiple security mechanisms. Available immediately. Netframeworks


• WebMessenger released an updated BlackBerry client and IBM Lotus Instant Messaging gateway for its WebMessenger Mobile Platform. The platform provides secure real-time access to instant messaging and presence systems from a wide range of handheld devices. prnewswire.com



• iAnywhere Solutions announced AvantGo for BlackBerry, an upcoming release of its AvantGo wireless information service for BlackBerry handheld devices. Initial release available before end of May. iAnywhere


• Skype International released two new premium services: SkypeIn for inbound calls to a Skype user, and Skype Voicemail, for taking a message when the user is unavailable. Available for Linux, Mac OS X, Pocket PC, and Windows. Available immediately. Skype

This Briefing was written by Michael Sampson, of Shared Spaces Research & Consulting Ltd. Email or IM Michael to discuss any of these items further.

7 Pillars Workshop in Wellington on May 6, Register Now

Thanks to the New Zealand Knowledge Management Network, I will be presenting a one-hour edition of my 7 Pillars for IT Professionals Workshop in Wellington (New Zealand) on May 6, 12.30pm-1.30pm.

Details are available here, and an RSVP is essential.

Shared Spaces Briefing, Apr 16

Today's highlights: Digilink Revelation 1.51; Oracle Collaboration Suite vulnerabilities; Data Connection and Distribute1; InstaColl launches; Longhorn in 2006?;

• Digilink released Version 1.51 of Revelation, a free upgrade of its SharePoint synchronization tool for users. New features: one-click synchronization of an entire WSS site or just selected folders and sub-folders, and an automatic monitor to alert users to new and modified documents in a WSS site. Available immediately; free upgrade for existing customers. Digilink



• Oracle released security patches for its database software and the Oracle Collaboration Suite. eWeek


• Data Connection announced that Distribute1, a telco in Canada, has licensed its MailNGen (voice mail, email, fax, and unified messaging platform) and MeetingServer (integrated audio, video and Web conferencing platform) offerings with the intention of delivering services based on these to its Canadian customer base. Data Connection


• InstaColl has launched its name-sake real-time joint editing and review product for Microsoft Office documents. Sabeer Bhatia, the Hotmail founder, has become an investor and will be Board Chairman. telegraphindia.com


• Microsoft Watch asks whether Microsoft can really meet a 4Q2006 release of Longhorn, given that Beta 1 isn't even available yet. Microsoft Watch

This Briefing was written by Michael Sampson, of Shared Spaces Research & Consulting Ltd. Email or IM Michael to discuss any of these items further.

Shared Spaces Briefing, Apr 15

Today's highlights: BlogBridge; Paul Guerin CEO of Jabber; Jabber and AOL for Federated IM; AOL Federated Service; 10 Steps for Effective Collaboration; Reuters Offline; Domino Security Holes;

• BlogBridge released Version 1.0 of its namesake RSS reader. It includes server-side storage of subscription information for sharing amongst multiple computers. Available immediately. BlogBridge


• Paul Guerin is the new CEO of Jabber, stepping up from a senior VP role. Paul briefed me last month for an update on Jabber. Jabber, CNET News


• Jabber announced an agreement with AOL, for federation of instant messaging systems. The federation will permit Jabber customers to obtain controlled access to the AOL network. Jabber


• AOL introduced a new federated interoperability service for providers of enterprise IM platforms, for the exchange of text messages between an enterprise IM server and the AOL network. The new AOL Enterprise Federation Partner program was joined by Antepo, Jabber (see above), Omnipod, and Parlano. eWeek, InfoWorld


• The IT Manager's Journal has a quick reminder about effective collaboration between people, and gives 10 tips. IT Manager's Journal


• Reuters turned off its Microsoft Office Live Communications Server-based IM network, due to a Kelvir worm attack. Reuters


• Security researchers have announced a couple of security vulnerabilities with Lotus Domino Server. TechWorld

This Briefing was written by Michael Sampson, of Shared Spaces Research & Consulting Ltd. Email or IM Michael to discuss any of these items further.

Shared Spaces Briefing, Apr 14

Today's highlights: When is a team not a team; A Good HP iPAQ 6500; Outlook for RIM; Rogers Challenges RIM; Irwin Lazar on desktop video conferencing; David Marshak on IBM collaboration;

• Thinking Faster reminds us that a team has an alignment of "goals, objectives and expectations" through its membership. Otherwise it is merely a collection of individuals with disparate agendas. Thanks for the reminder Jeffrey! Thinking Faster


• HP's forthcoming iPAQ 6500 combined phone/PDA may sport push email capabilities from Good Technology, a RIM competitor. That would give out-of-the-box push-based email for users with an Exchange Server in the office. cbronline.com


• Standard & Poor's estimates that RIM will double its subscriber base over the next 12 months, to 5 million global subscribers. Comment: When Vodafone NZ introduces the BlackBerry 7290 (quad-band with Bluetooth support), I'll be one of them! kiplinger.com. In parallel, RIM is thinking about how to push the envelope, through support of additional applications on the BlackBerry.


• Rogers Communications, Canada's largest mobile operator, is launching a Visto-powered wireless email service to compete with RIM's BlackBerry service. In Visto's favor is support for a wider variety of devices, not just RIM-powered ones. theglobalandmail.com


• Irwin Lazar of The Burton Group is thinking about the role of desktop video conferencing in the enterprise. Bad use: augmentation of a person-to-person phone call. Good uses: permitting remote workers to join a pre-scheduled conference, and ad-hoc meetings for small groups of individuals. Irwin Lazar


• David Marshak spoke with SearchDomino about IBM's approach to real-time communication and team collaboration. Key points: (a) admins and developers add greater value to their company by working on new stuff, not just continually working on existing things; (b) Microsoft's DNA is to facilitate personal productivity (even if its user base is composed of "dinosaurs", as Bill Gates calls them), not organizational productivity (unlike IBM); and (3) IBM offers an integrated platform for collaboration. Part 1 of 2 (or more?) conversations. SearchDomino

This Briefing was written by Michael Sampson, of Shared Spaces Research & Consulting Ltd. Email or IM Michael to discuss any of these items further.

Shared Spaces Briefing, Apr 13

Today's highlights: Video for Skype; BeInSync Professional 1.5; Vignette Portal 7.2; Microsoft seeks GroupWise Converts in Canada; Sybase iAnywhere Support for BlackBerry;

• Skype is working on a video add-in for its voice-over-IP client. It is currently in beta for Windows only, with a Mac version promised. Comment: if the video quality in SkypeSee is anything close to the voice quality in Skype, this will be a major game changer. As Rod Drury from Aftermail says, MSN Messenger 7 is too busy and looks awful ... yet another reason to go Skype only. (Thanks to Eric Mack for the heads-up)


• BeInSync released Version 1.5 of BeInSync Pro, its peer-to-peer file and document synchronization software for Windows machines. New features: the ability to share any folder without moving its location, a wizard-based interface for establishing file sync, enhanced integration with Windows Explorer, and improved performance, among others. Available immediately. BeInSync



• Vignette released Version 7.2 of Vignette Portal, a portal server for internal Web-based business applications. New features: enhanced out-of-the-box search capabilities, integration with Vignette Records and Documents, and the ability to link personalization attributes and mined data from multiple systems, among others. Available immediately. Vignette


• Microsoft Canada Co. is offering a new customer-migration campaign, designed to get Novell GroupWise customers to migrate up to Exchange Server 2003. The program is being offered through Microsoft partners, with cash subsidies offered to partners to offer free professional services for migration within GroupWise accounts. IT World Canada


• Sybase's iAnywhere division has plans to extend its mobile product portfolio to support the RIM BlackBerry device. This will enable BlackBerry users to access line-of-business applications via iAnywhere's infrastructure, and give IT the ability to manage BlackBerry devices via iAnywhere. itweb.co.za

This Briefing was written by Michael Sampson, of Shared Spaces Research & Consulting Ltd. Email or IM Michael to discuss any of these items further.

Microsoft Acquires Groove Networks: Three Years Too Late, Four Years to Impact, Apr 13

Shared Spaces announces the release of an updated revision of its independent Strategic Viewpoint report assessing Microsoft's acquisition of Groove Networks. The update takes into consideration further information that has come to light since the acquisition was announced, such as the purchase terms, and also limitations on synchronizing between Windows SharePoint Services and Groove.

Authored by Michael Sampson, the 10-page report:

" ... works through what is ahead for a combined Microsoft and Groove entity, and ultimately concludes that Microsoft is three years too late in acquiring Groove, and customers won’t see any benefit for at least four years. This creates a plethora of opportunities for competitors."

Table of Contents
Introduction
Strategic Reasons for the Acquisition
The Trifecta Approach Lacks Strategic Sense
Limitations in Using Groove to Take WSS Off-Line (new section)
Outlook for Product Integration between Microsoft and Groove
* Too Late for Offline and File Sync Capabilities in Longhorn 2005/2006
* Groove Virtual Office will Cease as a Standalone Offering
* Too Late to Impact Longhorn Server 2007; Maybe 2009?
* The Timing is Very Strange; Introduces High Degree of Uncertainty
* Customers Need Cross-Platform Solutions
* Can Microsoft Help Resolve GVO's Girth?
* Microsoft Flip-Flop on Partnering with Groove Networks (new section)
* Not a Repeat of Iris and Lotus
* Conclusion: Three Years Too Late, Four Years to Impact
Strategic Recommendations to Customers and Microsoft VARs
* Next Steps for Current Customers of Groove
* Next Steps for Prospective Customers of Groove
* Next Steps for Microsoft Messaging & Collaboration Customers
* Next Steps for Microsoft Value-Added Resellers

How to Buy
This independent Strategic Viewpoint report is available for immediate purchase, for US$400 per copy for a single reader, $1500 for internal enterprise-wide distribution rights at a user organization, and $4000 for internal distribution rights at a collaboration software vendor organization. Order now by sending email to reports@shared-spaces.com (you will be sent details about payment method by credit card). Contact us about public distribution rights.