Lotus Sametime 2.0: the collaboration solution

Lotus Sametime 2.0: the collaboration solution

Sometimes it takes a little collaboration to get a project done fast and efficiently. To create the best atmosphere for such teamwork, companies turn to different types of "sharing" technology. Through this technology, employees can collectively participate in online meetings and exchange instant messages and e-mail.

All of these features are available in Lotus? Sametime? 2.0. Users of this real-time collaboration tool can access such services as conferencing, instant messaging, and integration in a secure, scalable environment. Customers and partners can be included in this sharing when a proxy server is placed outside a corporate firewall.

Features

Conferencing
The conferencing services of Sametime provide users with the tools to share desktop applications, presentations, documents, and even drawings online through instant messaging, screen-sharing, and a virtual whiteboard. Control of the shared item can be passed back and forth between participants but the initiator of the session retains ultimate control.

The Meeting Center, which runs on the Sametime Server, provides a place where users can schedule online meetings and store meeting materials. Those setting up a meeting can specify what type of meeting they want to have (one presenter, a team collaboration, etc.) and which tools are available to participants. Participants don't have to have the same software as those sharing programs in order to see the items or join in the meeting, all they need is web access and a browser.

Secure instant messaging
Users can see when others are online and available for collaboration through the instant messaging feature of Sametime. Sametime Connect client software provides integration with AOL's (http://www.aol.com) Instant Messenger (AIM) service, allowing users to check the availability of and securely communicate with outside partners and customers. Each user has control over their own availability—participation level can be set at Active, Away, or Do Not Disturb.

Integration
The Sametime Toolkit provides a Java-based application program interface (API) that enables easy integration of Sametime's collaborative tools into such applications as e-commerce sites, help desks, or training programs.

Security

A number of security and privacy options are available through Sametime for instant messaging and conferencing:

• users have control over who can see when they are available for collaboration

• instant messaging uses 40-bit encryption

• all audio, video, and data sharing is conducted using 128-bit encryption

  A Java-based API enables easy integration of Sametime's collaborative tools into other applications

• authentication of meeting participants is done through the corporate or Sametime directory using 128-bit encryption

• a password protection option allows only authorized users to access the Sametime Server

For more information on this product, see the Lotus Sametime page at http://www.lotus.com/sametime.