More Sametime 7.5 tidbits. This time with Microsoft in mind

IBM have just announced some more great features for Sametime 7.5.

In particular "by providing integration with Microsoft Outlook, Office and SharePoint applications". This includes integration into Outlook's calendar for scheduling Sametime Conferences, presence awareness within Outlook, being able to send an IM, initiate a VoIP call, or share the current application from within Microsoft Office.

Also stressed again is the fact that Sametime 7.5 is built on the Eclipse Framework (as is Hannover - next version of the Notes client) which means that third parties, such as us, can built plugins and extensions for the Sametime 7.5 client. I am very excited about this possiblity we have a few ideas for extensions that will make the sametime client awesome.

Additional features of Lotus Sametime include:

-- No charge access to public instant messaging networks: Lotus Sametime 7.5 will offer access to leading public instant messaging vendors at no additional cost.
-- Audio/Video Integration: Lotus Sametime 7.5 will offer integration with leading audio and video providers, enabling features like "click to call" and integrated audio with phone and video conferences. Working with IBM in this area are Avaya, Avistar, Cisco, Nortel, Siemens, Premiere Global Services, Polycom and Tandberg.
-- Location-based Awareness: Lotus Sametime 7.5 is the only enterprise instant messaging platform to offer advanced location awareness.
-- Multiple person Voice over IP calls: Lotus Sametime 7.5 is the only enterprise instant messaging platform to offer voice over IP calls between multiple users.
-- Flexible support for multiple platforms and operating systems: The Lotus Sametime client runs on Windows, Mac, Linux® and on Windows, AIX® and IBM System i servers.

Lotus Sametime 7.5 is expected to be available in the third quarter of 2006. Mobile support for Lotus Sametime is expected to support RIM BlackBerry, Nokia and Windows Mobile devices with expected availability in the fourth quarter of 2006. Integration with Microsoft SharePoint, Outlook 2000 and above and Office XP and above is expected at the beginning of 2007. 

Sametime 7.5 Beta Demo Site

Have a look at the Sametime 7.5 Beta Demo Site. IBM have put up a demo server so you can look at the new features on Sametime 7.5 web conferencing. Note that it is a Beta and has a list of known limitations. Also IBM have stated that features may change/be added/be removed as it is still in Beta.

I for one am looking forward to upgrading our Sametime server. 

Sametime 7.5 Podcast

Still awaiting with much anticipation the release of Sametime 7.5. Since Lotusphere in Jan we have grand plans for developing plugins for Sametime 7.5 so are very keen to get our hands on it.

Anyway here is some more tidbits of information. Get the podcast here. 

More Sametime 7.5 features

The more I see the more I want it.

Ted Stanton has continued his Sametime Sunday posts showing the great new features. Here are his two latest:

Sametime Meeting Screen Sharing - This is essentially the same as past verison of Sametime however the interface for doing so is more usable and makes more sense. One of the problems in the past of the Screen Frame and the Entire Screen options was the fact that your Sametime Chat screen might pop up while you are in the meeting and if you have friends like mine it might not be very appropriate. In Sametime 7.5 however when you are in a meeting you can have your status automatically change which will prevent this from happening.

Location Awareness - There are many new improvements relating to location awareness. This is a neat feature for me as I tend to work from many different locations. This will mean that other users will know where I am rather than having to ask all the time. Also means I will know where other people are so that if I do want to call them or meet face to face (this does happen sometimes:). 

Taking a tour of the new features and technology in IBM Lotus Sametime 7.5

Here is some more on Sametime 7.5