The concept of groupware has made an elaborate evolutionary voyage during the last decade. From its inception as a simple messaging and calendaring system, groupware has undergone a metamorphosis into a complex and somewhat esoteric system of work flow, Web enablement, and knowledge management (KM). Like most IT software, groupware has been molded into an increasingly complex system targeted at solving all collaborative IT problems-maybe too many problems. Even though the concept and functionality of groupware are constantly being amplified to seek solutions to different business problems, the basis of groupware has always been fast and effective communication.
Messaging between individuals started the concept of groupware, but groups, rather than individuals, have become the focal point of this technology. In the world of business computing, these groups are now called teams, and the term teamware has become an integral part of its parent groupware model. The concept of IT groupware/teamware is a constantly evolving target. However, the cornerstone of groupware still comprises messaging, idea sharing, and cooperative creativity.
Lotus QuickPlace
Lotus has continued to expand its strategic partnership with the AS/400 by developing new and exceptionally fast native cooperative messaging techniques. Lotus QuickPlace for AS/400 2.0 is one of the newest groupware/teamware solutions specifically designed to take advantage of native AS/400 capabilities, including excellent scalability, reliability, and security features. Lotus QuickPlace is a new type of teamware application that allows instant collaboration concerning ideas, documents, and projects between individuals and teams of individuals on either the Internet or a company intranet. All you need to access its inherent functionality is a browser. You can either use QuickPlace as a separate server without a connection to Lotus Domino or add QuickPlace functionality to one or more existing Domino servers.
Lotus has made instant messaging an integral part of its groupware/teamware products and adopted a strategy that stresses innovation rather than emulation. Whereas Lotus SameTime is targeted to enable instant discussion and chat functionality (not yet available as a native AS/400 product), Lotus QuickPlace for AS/400 2.0 is specifically constructed to allow nontechnical personnel to create a "shared workspace" easily. The
concept of a shared workspace allows the instant sharing of messages, tasks, projects, or new creative initiatives between individuals and team members.
New Features Added
QuickPlace 2.0 adds several new features heretofore unavailable in Version 1.0.x:
• Directory integration that allows workspace members to invite new members from a Lotus name and address book (NAB), Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) directory, Microsoft Exchange, or a Windows NT domain
• Microsoft Office 2000 content integration
• Online chat, enabling instant brainstorming of ideas
• Creation of customized themes to enable reusable knowledge assets to capture strategic content, methodologies, and work flow models
Delivering at the Speed of Light
Lotus has always been on the cutting edge of instant messaging and collaboration. QuickPlace merely extends its strategy of combining messaging, calendaring, work flow, and knowledge sharing to help nontechnical IT professionals take advantage of this model. Lotus' concept of a shared workspace with the potential for instant messaging, idea and content creation, and rapid discussion forums somewhat eliminates the constraints of time and distance. Lotus is definitely looking at the future of communications and delivering it at the speed of light.
QuickPlace is a good starting place for many businesses that need rapid collaborative communications, but Lotus Domino Off-Line Services (DOLS) may be the next step that many AS/400 shops will wish to consider. This software suite offers mobile workers a rapid-response scenario that requires only a Web connection to keep their personal databases synchronized with corporate back-end data. Order a widget, for example, and the salesman on the road can plug into a phone line and give you the current price and availability of the product.
The next evolution of groupware/teamware will need no wires at all. Mobile Services for Domino (MSD) 1.0 takes advantage of the growing cadre of wireless ISPs that will eventually displace many wired ISPs. Wireless connections really deliver messaging at the speed of light; Lotus isn't oblivious to this fact. There is a huge debate about the time factor involved in general business acceptance of wireless computing, but it's obvious to many astute investors and executives that wireless access will soon become the answer to instant messaging and access to corporate data.
The story of instant messaging and a real-time collaborative workspace will continue to unfold over the next few months and even the next few years. For midrange professionals, Lotus may have the products that answer the need for instant and native AS/400 data access. From QuickPlace to DOLS to MSD, Lotus has seen the speed of light. It may not have reached 186,000 miles per second yet, but it is surely doing its best to make collaborative AS/400 computing approach this universal target.
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