IBM announces Lotus Sametime 7.5.1

IBM has announced a new version of its Lotus Sametime instant messaging and collaboration software, which begins shipping in early second quarter 2007. Sametime 7.5.1 will include real-time point-to-point video for expanded communication capabilities and will integrate with Microsoft Outlook and Office applications. The software also includes support for Linux servers and Macintosh clients.

Built on an Eclipse framework, Lotus Sametime enables anyone to build and deploy open extensions known as plug-ins. This real time video component further extends the flexible collaboration capabilities within the Lotus portfolio, which also includes social software, messaging, email and team collaboration. With a simple Webcam, the new point-to-point video tool will let Lotus Sametime users enhance their instant messaging (IM) discussion or Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) conversation in a manner similar to face-to-face interaction.

Bruce Morse, vice president, Lotus Unified Communications Software said, “IBM’s unified communications and collaboration vision is to foster innovation and business agility by making it easier for people to find, reach and collaborate through a unified user experience. Lotus Sametime provides an open, extensible software platform that integrates rich presence, IM, email, unified messaging, Web, voice, video, telephony and business applications across multi-vendor environments.”

New Sametime 7.5.1 capabilities will include Point-to-Point Video, Tabbed Chat, Compatibility with Microsoft applications such as Microsoft Office and Microsoft Outlook, and support for Linux and Macintosh clients.