IBM launches Workplace Collaboration Services 2.5 |
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By Luke Meredith, News Writer
26 May 2005 | Search400.com |
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IBM has rolled out Workplace Collaboration Services (WCS) 2.5 for the iSeries, a collaboration environment that allows users operating through multiple modes of interaction to simplify processes through a flexible processor-based pricing model.
WCS 2.5 incorporates tools for enhancing traditional methods of collaboration, including e-mail, calendaring, instant messaging, electronic learning, Web conferencing, document and Web content management, as well as new capabilities designed to simplifying access to information.
Built on a service-oriented architecture, WCS 2.5 is a prebuilt, reusable collaborative service whose genesis, according to Big Blue, arose from customers seeking an individually tailored, seamless work environment where collaboration is streamlined into daily activities and processes.
IBM hopes the architecture will help maximize productivity by allowing the IT staff to change and manage requirements more easily. According to Keith Rutledge, director for iSeries eServer on demand, WCS has been available on some of IBM's other platforms, and the move to the iSeries was a natural one.
"We've had customers waiting for WCS on iSeries. This will enable those customers to do what they've been waiting to do," Rutledge said.
The new tools include Activity Explorer, which uses activity threads to enable more efficient real-time collaboration, and Workplace Client Technology, an offline local storage support mechanism enhanced with an application programming interface toolkit for third parties seeking to build client applications.
WCS 2.5 will also feature out-of-the-box templates for planning, sales, marketing, human resources and customer support applications, and productivity tools to help users create and edit database applications, documents, spreadsheets, presentations and projects.
The product is being offered on a flexible pricing format, which provides customers with a simplified processor-based licensing model.
"The significance of this is quite large. Applications can share data and work together," Rutledge said. "It's a very good tool set."
Let us know what you think about the story; e-mail: Luke Meredith, News Writer
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