| IBM's vision for the future of collaborative computing is realized in this guide to implementing the IBM Workplace for IT managers. An overview of the key product lines that implement the IBM Workplace vision, including Lotus Workplace, WebSphere Portal, Lotus Notes and Domino, and WebSphere Everyplace is also provided.
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IBM Workplace is the beginning of what we believe will be the third generation of collaboration systems. A new platform is emerging that will enable enterprises to evolve their infrastructures (instead of rip and replace) into a modern architecture capable of withstanding the demands of the toughest business challenges.
As we contemplated this new system, we began to look to what worked in the past. First of all, this new system had to enable all of the personal productivity capabilities of the earlier systems—both through seamless integration with existing productivity tools like Microsoft Office, and with the inclusion of new component-based productivity tools for both the Web and rich client environments. Secondly, all of the familiar groupware capabilities needed to exist… e-mail, forms-based applications using workflow, document management, team rooms and the emerging needs around e-learning. And most importantly, these capabilities needed to be reformed or recast into a modern architecture based on open standards. Why? Because we believe that through the definition and expansion of open standards the toughest challenges of integration can be approached in a sensible and cost effective manner.
About the Author Douglas W. Spencer has been with IBM for more than 18 years and has extensive international experience in consulting and technical marketing of IBM software. He lives in Somers, New York. Ron Sebastian is the technical assistant to the vice president of development in the Lotus Software division at IBM. He lives in Ancaster, Ontario. |