Collaboration Matters!

Collaboration Matters! News and views on collaboration and innovation by Stuart McIntyre http://blog.collaborationmatters.com/blog/cmblog.nsf/ en-us Wed, 25 Jan 2012 11:27:40 +0100 SpeedGeeking: Avoiding the seven deadly sins of IBM Connections and how to plot the route to Social salvation! Wed, 25 Jan 2012 11:27:40 +0100

]]> http://blog.collaborationmatters.com/blog/cmblog.nsf/dx/speed-geeking-avoiding-the-seven-deadly-sins-of-ibm-connections-and-how-to-plot-the-route-to-social-salvation speedgeeking Stuart McIntyre http://blog.collaborationmatters.com/blog/cmblog.nsf/dx/speed-geeking-avoiding-the-seven-deadly-sins-of-ibm-connections-and-how-to-plot-the-route-to-social-salvation?opendocument&comments http://blog.collaborationmatters.com/blog/cmblog.nsf/dx/speed-geeking-avoiding-the-seven-deadly-sins-of-ibm-connections-and-how-to-plot-the-route-to-social-salvation

Avoiding the seven deadly sins of IBM Connections and how to plot the route to Social salvation!

Enjoy!

]]> http://blog.collaborationmatters.com/blog/cmblog.nsf/dxcomments/speed-geeking-avoiding-the-seven-deadly-sins-of-ibm-connections-and-how-to-plot-the-route-to-social-salvation http://blog.collaborationmatters.com/blog/cmblog.nsf/dx/speed-geeking-avoiding-the-seven-deadly-sins-of-ibm-connections-and-how-to-plot-the-route-to-social-salvation?opendocument&comments Liveblogging the Lotusphere 2012 OGS Mon, 16 Jan 2012 08:00:37 -0400

]]> http://blog.collaborationmatters.com/blog/cmblog.nsf/dx/liveblogging-the-lotusphere-2012-ogs lotusphere Stuart McIntyre http://blog.collaborationmatters.com/blog/cmblog.nsf/dx/liveblogging-the-lotusphere-2012-ogs?opendocument&comments http://blog.collaborationmatters.com/blog/cmblog.nsf/dx/liveblogging-the-lotusphere-2012-ogs

Live feed:

Watch live streaming video from ibmsoftware at livestream.com

]]> http://blog.collaborationmatters.com/blog/cmblog.nsf/dxcomments/liveblogging-the-lotusphere-2012-ogs http://blog.collaborationmatters.com/blog/cmblog.nsf/dx/liveblogging-the-lotusphere-2012-ogs?opendocument&comments Don’t ever call Lotusphere a ’jolly’! Sat, 14 Jan 2012 04:49:40 -0400

]]> http://blog.collaborationmatters.com/blog/cmblog.nsf/dx/dont-ever-call-lotusphere-a-jolly... lotusphere Stuart McIntyre http://blog.collaborationmatters.com/blog/cmblog.nsf/dx/dont-ever-call-lotusphere-a-jolly...?opendocument&comments http://blog.collaborationmatters.com/blog/cmblog.nsf/dx/dont-ever-call-lotusphere-a-jolly...
skitched-20120114-045225

Admittedly some of the clashing appointments in Orange are where there are more than one session that I'd like to go to in that slot. However, there is no doubt that this is going to be one seriously intensive week!

]]> http://blog.collaborationmatters.com/blog/cmblog.nsf/dxcomments/dont-ever-call-lotusphere-a-jolly... http://blog.collaborationmatters.com/blog/cmblog.nsf/dx/dont-ever-call-lotusphere-a-jolly...?opendocument&comments In 60 seconds... Tue, 3 Jan 2012 09:45:00 +0100

]]> http://blog.collaborationmatters.com/blog/cmblog.nsf/dx/in-60-seconds... infographic Stuart McIntyre http://blog.collaborationmatters.com/blog/cmblog.nsf/dx/in-60-seconds...?opendocument&comments http://blog.collaborationmatters.com/blog/cmblog.nsf/dx/in-60-seconds...
Liking these infographics shared by Business Insider during the holiday:

and:

Some staggering numbers in there - the one that leaps at me is over 50 Wordpress downloads per minute. Makes you realise just how large the consumer and small business content creation community is compared with the enterprise space.

]]> http://blog.collaborationmatters.com/blog/cmblog.nsf/dxcomments/in-60-seconds... http://blog.collaborationmatters.com/blog/cmblog.nsf/dx/in-60-seconds...?opendocument&comments Smarter Knowledge Sharing: Quantitative research into the perceived usefulness of Lotus Live as knowledge sharing system by Dutch healthcare professionals Thu, 22 Dec 2011 10:52:39 +0100

]]> http://blog.collaborationmatters.com/blog/cmblog.nsf/dx/smarter-knowledge-sharing-quantitative-research-into-the-perceived-usefulness-of-lotus-live-as-knowledge-sharing-system-by-dutch-healthcare-professionals lotuslive Stuart McIntyre http://blog.collaborationmatters.com/blog/cmblog.nsf/dx/smarter-knowledge-sharing-quantitative-research-into-the-perceived-usefulness-of-lotus-live-as-knowledge-sharing-system-by-dutch-healthcare-professionals?opendocument&comments http://blog.collaborationmatters.com/blog/cmblog.nsf/dx/smarter-knowledge-sharing-quantitative-research-into-the-perceived-usefulness-of-lotus-live-as-knowledge-sharing-system-by-dutch-healthcare-professionals find!

Smarter Knowledge Sharing - Quantitative research into the perceived usefulness of Lotus Live as knowledge sharing system by Dutch healthcare professionals

Master Thesis
Strategic Management
Tilburg University
December 12, 2011

Student
Sjoerd Bouma (962256)
S.Bouma@uvt.nl

An organization’s ability to learn and share knowledge has emerged as a key factor influencing organizational performance (Argote, McEvily, & Reagans, 2003; Kane & Alavi, 2007). IBM can provide an integrated cloud solution, Lotus Live, to support online knowledge sharing and learning. The measurement of information systems usefulness is critical to understand the value and efficacy of information systems investments (Delone & McLean, 2003). Therefore, IBM wants to study the usefulness of an integrated cloud solution for knowledge sharing. IBM is especially interested in the added value of Lotus Live in a knowledge-intensive environment (e.g. healthcare, research institutes, and universities). Especially in these type of organizations lifelong learning and knowledge sharing are crucial aspects of everyday’s work.

This study elaborates on knowledge sharing in healthcare. In general, when talking about knowledge sharing in healthcare it concerns collaboration between healthcare professionals (Chau & Hu, 2002a), and access to learning resources (Geueke & Stausberg, 2003). Lifelong learning and knowledge sharing are important concepts in today’s healthcare, and a requirement for all healthcare professionals (Barnard, Nash, & O'Brien, 2005; Frankford, Patterson, & Konrad, 2000). However, knowledge sharing by face-to-face interaction on a regular basis can be costly and time consuming. Online communities of practice supported by internet technologies are among the few viable alternatives to live conversation and knowledge sharing (Hara & Hew, 2007). It is therefore, very interesting to look at the usefulness of an online knowledge management system for knowledge sharing in healthcare. The central research question dealt with in this thesis will be:

To what extent is an online knowledge management system for knowledge sharing perceived useful in supporting knowledge sharing in a healthcare context?

Whilst most definitely an academic paper (it is the author's master thesis), this should be useful reading for anyone with an interest in how cloud-based or on-premise social collaboration tools can be adopted for knowledge sharing purposes, whether in health-care or other similar verticals. I'm still digesting the findings and recommendations contained in the paper, but can already recommend it - so much around Social technology is fluffy and vague in nature - an academic study can really cut through that to focus on the facts and realities.

Excellent work, Sjoerd.

]]> http://blog.collaborationmatters.com/blog/cmblog.nsf/dxcomments/smarter-knowledge-sharing-quantitative-research-into-the-perceived-usefulness-of-lotus-live-as-knowledge-sharing-system-by-dutch-healthcare-professionals http://blog.collaborationmatters.com/blog/cmblog.nsf/dx/smarter-knowledge-sharing-quantitative-research-into-the-perceived-usefulness-of-lotus-live-as-knowledge-sharing-system-by-dutch-healthcare-professionals?opendocument&comments DanNotes - an outsider’s view of an exceptional Lotus user group Wed, 30 Nov 2011 02:50:00 +0100

]]> http://blog.collaborationmatters.com/blog/cmblog.nsf/dx/dannotes-an-outsiders-view-of-an-exceptional-lotus-user-group dannotes Stuart McIntyre http://blog.collaborationmatters.com/blog/cmblog.nsf/dx/dannotes-an-outsiders-view-of-an-exceptional-lotus-user-group?opendocument&comments http://blog.collaborationmatters.com/blog/cmblog.nsf/dx/dannotes-an-outsiders-view-of-an-exceptional-lotus-user-group
From DNUG to UKLUG, ILUG to IAMLUG, MWLUG to AUSLUG, BLUG to the (award-winning) DDive, community-organised events have been massively successful and have strengthened and sustained the community that forms around these collaboration products. From small monthly meetings (ATLUG), through to 3 day 400-attendee mega-LUGs, there is clearly a demand for these groups and events. Many community members put hundred of hours into organising them, sponsors pay thousands to exhibit and attendees travel hundreds or even thousands of miles to attend. It is hard to remember a time before they were so prevalent.

However, I've failed to mention the daddy of all user groups... DanNotes. Almost unbelievably, DanNotes was formed in 1993 (18 years!) and has just had its 46th event (yes 46!). Doesn't that put things into perspective? Whether we know it or not, we have a lot to thank DanNotes for...

Earlier this year I was honoured to be invited to speak at the latest DanNotes conference in Denmark, and took the trip out to attend last week.

View Larger Map

Held in a rather lovely if remote hotel and conference centre in Korsor, approximately 60 miles west of Copenhagen, I joined Chris Connor, Ulrich Krause and Niklas Heidloff as the non-Danish speakers at this two-day conference.

DanNotes 2011 Hotel

With about 80 in attendance (a full house), the event had a busy feel to it - plenty of attendees but not so big that it wasn't possible to get round and speak to most folks that were there.

A few significant details made it a really interesting experience for me:
1. I have never been a particular fan of conference hotels, they can be a bit soulless. However this one had some character, and the whole conference being in the one remote hotel meant that attendees and organisers spent real quality time together. We ate proper sit down meals, had an excellent evening reception and could relax in each others company. The relatively small size of the event compared to an ILUG or IAMLUG obviously helped in that regard too.
2. The sessions themselves were held in an auditorium with excellent acoustics, full PA and mics on every desk. That meant that when an attendee asked a question, they could do so without moving or significantly interrupting the speaker, everyone heard it and there was a much more interactive vibe as a result.
3. The attendees really know each other. A lot of them have attended a large number of the DanNotes events (46 remember) and hence really are a community all of their own. That really came through in the relationships on show. That said, they were really friendly to outsiders such as myself - I felt really welcome. That is a tough balance to strike.
4. Attendees have to pay to be part of the user group and to attend the event. That tends to make those present really want to maximise the value they get from being there. Whilst free events are great in a lot of ways, I do wonder whether paid user group meetings are the way forward in the long run.

DanNotes 2011 Auditorium

Whilst I wish I could have stayed a bit longer, I massively enjoyed my trip. I was hugely impressed by the organisation behind the event (Per Henrik Lausten and the rest of the team), by the content being shared and by the community that has been developed. I wish too that I could have seen more of Denmark on my first trip than just Copenhagen airport, the train and the hotel! Definitely an excuse for a return trip in future.

If you're wondering what I presented, I did two sessions which are both on Slideshare:

'IBM Connections - Bridging the Gap' (explaining Social Collaboration and IBM Connections for those from a Notes/Domino background):

IBM Connections - Bridging the Gap (delivered at DanNotes, Nov 2011)

I also shared a session with IBM's Niklas Heidloff on mobile technologies where he spoke about the options for application developers using XPages:

XPages Mobile Controls DanNotes 11/23/11

I then took over and discussed 'The IBM Mobile Collaboration Portfolio' (covering the options open to users of IBM/Lotus packaged applications):

The IBM Mobile Collaboration Portfolio (delivered at DanNotes, Nov 2011)

(I know that as a result of my aversion to bullets and my preference for very image-heavy slides, these presentations need more context! I'll be uploading the audio for the presentations as soon as I have it!)

So huge thanks to all those behind DanNotes. If you are from Denmark and haven't attended, you really must - it is one of the best examples of a LUG anywhere in the world!

]]> http://blog.collaborationmatters.com/blog/cmblog.nsf/dxcomments/dannotes-an-outsiders-view-of-an-exceptional-lotus-user-group http://blog.collaborationmatters.com/blog/cmblog.nsf/dx/dannotes-an-outsiders-view-of-an-exceptional-lotus-user-group?opendocument&comments Why is Collaboration Matters an IBM business partner? Tue, 29 Nov 2011 10:00:00 +0100

]]> http://blog.collaborationmatters.com/blog/cmblog.nsf/dx/why-is-collaboration-matters-an-ibm-business-partner ibm Stuart McIntyre http://blog.collaborationmatters.com/blog/cmblog.nsf/dx/why-is-collaboration-matters-an-ibm-business-partner?opendocument&comments http://blog.collaborationmatters.com/blog/cmblog.nsf/dx/why-is-collaboration-matters-an-ibm-business-partner Collaboration Matters partners with a number of strategic vendors, including Socialtext, Atlassian, Redhat and VMWare. In varying degrees, all are a vital foundation to what we do.

However, most readers of this blog will be aware that our most significant vendor relationship is with IBM - that has been the way throughout my 17 year career since graduation, and in the almost four years since Collaboration Matters was formed. IBM is the thread that runs through my career - AIX, RS/6000, SSA, ADSM, Notes, SP2, TSM, MagStar, pSeries, LTO, MQ, Tivoli Monitoring, xSeries, Domino, Sametime, Quickr, Connections and on. Whilst not all those technologies are still around, all have been transformative for both my customers and for me personally.

Many of those products are Lotus-branded software (of course), but many are not - operating systems, disk technologies, tape standards, middleware, server platforms. Unlike some in the Lotus community, my contact with the greater IBM goes way beyond just the brand that they acquired in 1995. I've seen the breath and depth of solutions that IBM can offer to customers, both direct and through partners such as those I've worked for.

Many of the most important personal relationships built during my career have been with IBMers, from hardware engineers through customer reps, country managers, salespeople, product managers, community managers, marketers and even VPs. I value and cherish those friendships. Although I've worked closely with other vendors including HP and Microsoft for extended periods of time, I have never made the same type of connection with their staff. Whether it's down to similarity of approach, attitude, ethics or just simply because we get along, I've always found IBMers generally a real pleasure to work with and get to know.

If you listen to the This Week in Lotus podcast, or read my posts over an extended period of time, you'll also be aware that I don't always agree 100% with IBM's product decisions, marketing efforts, policies or approach. This is sometimes seen as criticism, often unfair criticism when coming from a partner. This is a tough one to deal with. Over the 17 years, I have been overwhelmingly positive about IBM's vision and products, else I wouldn't still be so entwined with them.

However, I am not an IBM employee, Collaboration Matters is not an IBM subsidiary. Whilst we greatly respect and appreciate IBM and its products, our only responsibility is to our customers, ourselves and our shareholders. We are selected by our customers for our independence and focused approach - we know and use the opposition, and we do not have corporate demands on us to sell other IBM hardware, services and products. In short, Collaboration Matters is a 'trusted advisor' - we can be trusted to offer an IBM-loyal yet independent approach. We would never take a customer request for Connections and unilaterally turn it into a Socialtext or Jive sale for example, and yet if a customer asks 'I hear that Connections is weak in area XYZ, is that true? How do the other vendors deal with that?' then they can rely on us to give a straight answer. I believe that for every customer that suggests that something said on TWiL or the blog is damaging to IBM's cause, we have ten or more that value that independence of approach and the integrity of the comment.

So back to the question I posed in the title... Why is Collaboration Matters an IBM business partner?

Over 17 years, I fundamentally believe that IBM has upheld the best interests of its customers and partners. Undoubtedly it is a commercial organisation and has its own requirements to add shareholder value and deliver profits, but within those constraints I believe it does a terrific job of walking alongside both customers and partners to deliver exceptional solutions. Sure there have been missteps along the way, and there will be more in the future, but if you look back over the 17% of IBM's history that I have experienced IBM has been a great organisation to work with.

Life as an IBM Business Partner is an interesting tightrope to walk; being at times a customer, other times an alliance partner, sometimes a nuisance, and occasionally an outright competitor.

However, I believe that these three things are true... Collaboration Matters can do more business and be more profitable through being an IBM partner. Customers can obtain better solutions and services through Collaboration Matters and IBM combined than they could from either organisation alone. IBM understands the requirements of the customer in more depth and delivers a much more targeted and rounded service to the customer when they work with us. All three elements gain from the relationship, and the whole is much greater than the sum of the parts. For me, that is the definition of being a partner.

This video from IBM UK explains what IBM partners can do in a really good way - I wish I could have been involved:

Through my career and and now as I look to 2012 and beyond, I'm proud that I can say 'I am an IBM Business Partner'.

]]> http://blog.collaborationmatters.com/blog/cmblog.nsf/dxcomments/why-is-collaboration-matters-an-ibm-business-partner http://blog.collaborationmatters.com/blog/cmblog.nsf/dx/why-is-collaboration-matters-an-ibm-business-partner?opendocument&comments So Lo Mo Mon, 28 Nov 2011 19:48:04 +0100

]]> http://blog.collaborationmatters.com/blog/cmblog.nsf/dx/so-lo-mo social Stuart McIntyre http://blog.collaborationmatters.com/blog/cmblog.nsf/dx/so-lo-mo?opendocument&comments http://blog.collaborationmatters.com/blog/cmblog.nsf/dx/so-lo-mo Sandy Carter outlines IBM's plans for LeWeb '11 next week:

Social, Local, Mobile.

I like that...

]]> http://blog.collaborationmatters.com/blog/cmblog.nsf/dxcomments/so-lo-mo http://blog.collaborationmatters.com/blog/cmblog.nsf/dx/so-lo-mo?opendocument&comments UK IBMers and bloggers share perspectives on Social Business Mon, 28 Nov 2011 11:34:17 +0100

]]> http://blog.collaborationmatters.com/blog/cmblog.nsf/dx/uk-ibmers-and-bloggers-share-perspectives-on-social-business social Stuart McIntyre http://blog.collaborationmatters.com/blog/cmblog.nsf/dx/uk-ibmers-and-bloggers-share-perspectives-on-social-business?opendocument&comments http://blog.collaborationmatters.com/blog/cmblog.nsf/dx/uk-ibmers-and-bloggers-share-perspectives-on-social-business Jon Mell, Ofer Guetta and Jon Machtynger join with key UK-based bloggers to discuss Social Business:

Leading UK bloggers Chris Turner (Springwise), David Terrar (Biz Two Zero), Matt Alder (Recruiting Futurology), David Cushman (Faster Future) and Johnnie Moore (The Johnnie Moore Weblog) come together with IBM experts Jon Mell, Jon Machtynger and Alex Bray to give their perspective on the concept of Social Business.

Leading UK bloggers David Terrar (Biz Two Zero) and Kathryn Corrick (KathrynCorrick.co.uk) come together with IBM Social Business experts Alex Bray, Ofer Guetta, Jon Mell and Stuart McRae to discuss the benefits of social tools within the enterprise from an IT perspective

Leading UK bloggers John Ingham (Strategic HCM), Peter Gold (Hire Strategies), Matt Alder (Recruiting Futurology), Mike Morrison (Rapid BI) and Johnnie Moore (The Johnnie Moore Weblog) come together with IBM Social Business experts Jon Mell and Stuart McRae to discuss the potential of social tools within the enterprise to benefit HR and drive employee engagement.

Leading UK bloggers Chris Turner (Springwise), David Cushman (Faster Future), Karl Long (Experience Curve) and Kathryn Corrick (KathrynCorrick.co.uk), come together with IBM Social Business experts Ofer Guetta, Jon Mell, Jon Machtynger and Alex Bray to discuss the potential of social tools within the enterprise to drive innovation.

Interesting views and definitions...

]]> http://blog.collaborationmatters.com/blog/cmblog.nsf/dxcomments/uk-ibmers-and-bloggers-share-perspectives-on-social-business http://blog.collaborationmatters.com/blog/cmblog.nsf/dx/uk-ibmers-and-bloggers-share-perspectives-on-social-business?opendocument&comments How are you approaching User Adoption? Please take the Survey! Mon, 28 Nov 2011 11:20:25 +0100

]]> http://blog.collaborationmatters.com/blog/cmblog.nsf/dx/how-are-you-approaching-user-adoption-please-take-the-survey social Stuart McIntyre http://blog.collaborationmatters.com/blog/cmblog.nsf/dx/how-are-you-approaching-user-adoption-please-take-the-survey?opendocument&comments http://blog.collaborationmatters.com/blog/cmblog.nsf/dx/how-are-you-approaching-user-adoption-please-take-the-survey Many of you will be aware that I work on occasion with Michael Sampson, esteemed Collaboration Strategist and author of 'User Adoption Strategies' and the upcoming 'Collaboration Roadmap'. Michael and I have also submitted an abstract for Lotusphere 2012, but that's a topic for another post.

Michael has previously surveyed business users on the use and effectiveness of the various strategies that he covers in the User Adoption Strategies book, and the data has been used in various presentations that Michael has used around the world since then.

Well it's time to run a new survey to check on progress:

It's time to ask the question again. How are you approaching user adoption? What strategies are you using? How effective have the strategies been in your organization?

I have re-developed the survey - adding a few new strategies from the book, and using slightly different rating scales - and it's up and ready for you to contribute your experience.

WIN A COPY OF THE USER ADOPTION STRATEGIES BOOK! If you take the survey and leave your contact details, you will automatically go in the draw for one of five copies of User Adoption Strategies. There's a weekly drawing between now and early January, so complete the survey early to get a maximum number of opportunities to win a copy.

Michael is particularly interested in hearing from IBM Connections customers to find out how adoption is going in your environments.

Should our abstract be accepted for Lotusphere, we will be using this data as part of the presentation, so please do head over and complete the survey!

]]> http://blog.collaborationmatters.com/blog/cmblog.nsf/dxcomments/how-are-you-approaching-user-adoption-please-take-the-survey http://blog.collaborationmatters.com/blog/cmblog.nsf/dx/how-are-you-approaching-user-adoption-please-take-the-survey?opendocument&comments IBM Sametime mobile apps - official announcements Tue, 22 Nov 2011 07:41:59 +0100

]]> http://blog.collaborationmatters.com/blog/cmblog.nsf/dx/ibm-sametime-mobile-apps-official-announcements sametime Stuart McIntyre http://blog.collaborationmatters.com/blog/cmblog.nsf/dx/ibm-sametime-mobile-apps-official-announcements?opendocument&comments http://blog.collaborationmatters.com/blog/cmblog.nsf/dx/ibm-sametime-mobile-apps-official-announcements IBM Sametime for iOS logo

I posted earlier on about the new iOS Sametime/SUT app available for iOS.

Here's the official versions from IBM. First, Sametime:

IBM Sametime 8.5.2 IFR 1 extends unified communications to Apple iOS and Google Android operating system devices and delivers significant new features to IBM Sametime Advanced

IBM Sametime provides a core set of real-time communication services designed to help make your social business actionable. Sametime can help teams organize quickly and respond with unprecedented speed and can help unified communications become a core part of your enterprise's social business strategy.

IBM Sametime 8.5.2 Interim Feature Release (IFR) 1 further extends unified communications to new mobile devices and adds additional social collaboration capabilities.

IBM Sametime Standard 8.5.2 IFR 1 adds:

A new native Instant Messaging client for Apple iPhone and iPad devices that includes a dialer for Sametime Unified Telephony licensed users
New browser-based meeting participation on Google Android tablets and Apple iPads
New Sametime meeting room features and options such as Active Speaker indication
New platform support including Mac OS X 10.7, Domino 8.5.3, Internet Explorer 9, and Firefox 6 and 7
In addition to the enhancements in Sametime Standard, Sametime Advanced 8.5.2 IFR 1 also includes:

Offline messaging
Multi-file and folder transfer to individuals
File transfers to multiple people simultaneously
Organizational tree view

and SUT:

IBM Sametime Unified Telephony 8.5.2 IFR 1 provides new flexibility with a native Apple iOS client and server virtualization

IBM Sametime Unified Telephony is a telephony middleware application designed to provide advanced unified communications capabilities without the need to consolidate telephony infrastructure on a single vendor. Users benefit from a single, unified phone number and intelligent call routing based on location, presence, time of day, and caller ID. Ease of use includes click-to-call, click-to-conference, rich call control, along with an intuitive softphone built into the Sametime experience.

IBM Sametime Unified Telephony 8.5.2 Interim Feature Release (IFR) 1 delivers additional deployment flexibility with:

A new Sametime client for Apple iOS devices that includes a dialer to initiate Sametime Unified Telephony calls
Support for virtualization of the IBM Sametime Unified Telephony servers
Sametime Unified Telephony Lite Client now supports IBM Sametime Standard and Sametime Advanced 8.5.2 IFR 1.

Clearly, this new IFR 1 fix is essential to the operation of the new clients, so that's going to be first thing to get done before your users start to download and use the client. I'm already really impressed by the new Sametime native app for iOS and it looks as though the team has followed a similar model to the IBM Connections mobile clients - make the best use of the features of the mobile Web UI (thus making it easier to update centrally) whilst adding mobile functionality in the native app (uploading pictures etc).

Also of note, new support for OS X Lion, Domino 8.5.3 and latest versions of IE and Firefox. So this small IFR 1 fixpack looks to be a very big deal!

]]> http://blog.collaborationmatters.com/blog/cmblog.nsf/dxcomments/ibm-sametime-mobile-apps-official-announcements http://blog.collaborationmatters.com/blog/cmblog.nsf/dx/ibm-sametime-mobile-apps-official-announcements?opendocument&comments IBM Sametime hits the iOS App Store Tue, 22 Nov 2011 05:11:49 +0100

]]> http://blog.collaborationmatters.com/blog/cmblog.nsf/dx/ibm-sametime-hits-the-ios-app-store sametime Stuart McIntyre http://blog.collaborationmatters.com/blog/cmblog.nsf/dx/ibm-sametime-hits-the-ios-app-store?opendocument&comments http://blog.collaborationmatters.com/blog/cmblog.nsf/dx/ibm-sametime-hits-the-ios-app-store discussed the upcoming IBM Sametime native mobile client for iOS.

It is now available in the App Store:

We are very excited to bring you the IBM Sametime Mobile Client for iOS! This gives you access to IBM's award-winning platform for Unified Communications on today's hottest devices – the iPhone and iPad. The client gives you the following cool features :

● 1/1 and Group chat
● Send and receive photos
● Background message notification
● Search corporate directory for a contact
● Search contact list by name or number
● Broadcast announcements
● Customized presence status
● Chat history
● View your contact list by groups, favorites, or all contacts view.
● Add new individual contacts or groups
● Robust Business Card
● Easily import Sametime contacts into your Apple iPhone contact list.
● Manage application preferences from the Apple iPhone device settings.
● Interface is automatically optimized for the iPhone or iPad.

If you are a Sametime Unified Telephony (SUT) user, you also get the following from your iOS device:

● A dial pad to place calls with SUT
● Click to call
● Receive incoming SUT calls
● Your off the hook telephony presence is reflected to desktop rich client users
● Keep your cell number private! Recipient's caller ID shows up as your SUT number.
● Control call routing rules and
● Set preferred device for receiving your SUT calls.

We've been looking for a native means to manage Sametime access on iPhones and iPads for a long time (the Sametime 8.5 release has a mobile web UI), and this looks to be the answer we've been waiting for:

I'm particularly excited about the mix of Sametime and Sametime Unified telephony integration in the app, and alos the fact that it is iPad optimised from day one:

Very impressive.

One detail to note is the requirement for a specific fix pack on your Sametime servers:

*The IBM Sametime Mobile Client for iOS devices requires the Sametime 8.5.2 IFR 1 Proxy Server to be deployed in your infrastructure environment. Please contact your IT department to validate this is the case.*

Download the new Sametime iOS client from the App Store now!

]]> http://blog.collaborationmatters.com/blog/cmblog.nsf/dxcomments/ibm-sametime-hits-the-ios-app-store http://blog.collaborationmatters.com/blog/cmblog.nsf/dx/ibm-sametime-hits-the-ios-app-store?opendocument&comments IBM Demonstrating Social in Action Fri, 18 Nov 2011 18:10:41 +0100

]]> http://blog.collaborationmatters.com/blog/cmblog.nsf/dx/ibm-demonstrating-social-in-action social Stuart McIntyre http://blog.collaborationmatters.com/blog/cmblog.nsf/dx/ibm-demonstrating-social-in-action?opendocument&comments http://blog.collaborationmatters.com/blog/cmblog.nsf/dx/ibm-demonstrating-social-in-action
First up, Suzanne Livingston demonstrating IBM Connections 3.0.1:

Then, even more impressively, Jason Dumont showing off the upcoming Social Mail functionality, due to ship in 2012:

Whilst Social Mail has been shown off at various conferences, LUGs and customer briefings over the past few months, it is fantastic to see IBM showing this in a genuinely open forum. I am massively excited by Social Mail and think it will really take IBM ahead of the opposition when it ships - can't wait to see more at Lotusphere 2012!

Update: It seems that indeed, that second demo was a little premature. So in the meantime, let's enjoy Suzanne's work - excellent demo, Suzanne!

]]> http://blog.collaborationmatters.com/blog/cmblog.nsf/dxcomments/ibm-demonstrating-social-in-action http://blog.collaborationmatters.com/blog/cmblog.nsf/dx/ibm-demonstrating-social-in-action?opendocument&comments Stuff IBMers say Thu, 17 Nov 2011 22:10:43 +0100

]]> http://blog.collaborationmatters.com/blog/cmblog.nsf/dx/stuff-ibmers-say twitter Stuart McIntyre http://blog.collaborationmatters.com/blog/cmblog.nsf/dx/stuff-ibmers-say?opendocument&comments http://blog.collaborationmatters.com/blog/cmblog.nsf/dx/stuff-ibmers-say
#StuffIBMersSay

]]> http://blog.collaborationmatters.com/blog/cmblog.nsf/dxcomments/stuff-ibmers-say http://blog.collaborationmatters.com/blog/cmblog.nsf/dx/stuff-ibmers-say?opendocument&comments Pick my brain. Please. Wed, 16 Nov 2011 15:42:44 +0100

]]> http://blog.collaborationmatters.com/blog/cmblog.nsf/dx/pick-my-brain.-please. ibmchampions Stuart McIntyre http://blog.collaborationmatters.com/blog/cmblog.nsf/dx/pick-my-brain.-please.?opendocument&comments http://blog.collaborationmatters.com/blog/cmblog.nsf/dx/pick-my-brain.-please.

Whilst not rolled out worldwide just yet, the main site in the US has this as the default panel (ibm.com/us). Very exciting! Great to see IBM recognising and then promoting its experts in the community.

As an aside... Also of note, Lotusphere 2012 is the third panel on that page:

IBM - United States

]]> http://blog.collaborationmatters.com/blog/cmblog.nsf/dxcomments/pick-my-brain.-please. http://blog.collaborationmatters.com/blog/cmblog.nsf/dx/pick-my-brain.-please.?opendocument&comments Outside the Inbox - now *this* is how to tell the Social Business story Thu, 10 Nov 2011 09:20:50 +0100

]]> http://blog.collaborationmatters.com/blog/cmblog.nsf/dx/outside-the-inbox-now-this-is-how-to-tell-the-social-business-story ibmsocialbiz Stuart McIntyre http://blog.collaborationmatters.com/blog/cmblog.nsf/dx/outside-the-inbox-now-this-is-how-to-tell-the-social-business-story?opendocument&comments http://blog.collaborationmatters.com/blog/cmblog.nsf/dx/outside-the-inbox-now-this-is-how-to-tell-the-social-business-story Luis Suarez:

Timed to coincide with No Email Day tomorrow (11/11/11), this is a terrific way to explain the benefits of leaving the inbox behind and starting to work socially. Luis is just a great example to all those that want to leave the binding ties of email, and the team behind this site has done a super job of presenting the story and the related information in a really appealing and cohesive way.

So, tweet it, like it and share it (just don't email it!)... OutsideTheInbox.eu.

]]> http://blog.collaborationmatters.com/blog/cmblog.nsf/dxcomments/outside-the-inbox-now-this-is-how-to-tell-the-social-business-story http://blog.collaborationmatters.com/blog/cmblog.nsf/dx/outside-the-inbox-now-this-is-how-to-tell-the-social-business-story?opendocument&comments Insights: Sandy Carter on Social Business adoption Fri, 4 Nov 2011 11:34:31 +0100

]]> http://blog.collaborationmatters.com/blog/cmblog.nsf/dx/insights-sandy-carter-on-social-business-adoption social Stuart McIntyre http://blog.collaborationmatters.com/blog/cmblog.nsf/dx/insights-sandy-carter-on-social-business-adoption?opendocument&comments http://blog.collaborationmatters.com/blog/cmblog.nsf/dx/insights-sandy-carter-on-social-business-adoption Sandy Carter on Social Business adoption:

]]> http://blog.collaborationmatters.com/blog/cmblog.nsf/dxcomments/insights-sandy-carter-on-social-business-adoption http://blog.collaborationmatters.com/blog/cmblog.nsf/dx/insights-sandy-carter-on-social-business-adoption?opendocument&comments Web Conferencing Services: LotusLive vs. WebEx Sun, 30 Oct 2011 06:28:02 +0100

]]> http://blog.collaborationmatters.com/blog/cmblog.nsf/dx/web-conferencing-services-lotuslive-vs.-webex lotuslive Stuart McIntyre http://blog.collaborationmatters.com/blog/cmblog.nsf/dx/web-conferencing-services-lotuslive-vs.-webex?opendocument&comments http://blog.collaborationmatters.com/blog/cmblog.nsf/dx/web-conferencing-services-lotuslive-vs.-webex Beyond initial connectivity, LotusLive is the easier product to use and is less expensive. Our reviewer found the variety of features offered by LotusLive Meetings to be best in class compared to others reviewed, as well as among the easiest to use, and at a lower price point.

WebEx, on the other hand, was found to be a bit more complex and pricey. As our reviewer advised, WebEx is best for users with at least moderate levels of web conferencing experience, noting that “many users recommend that someone other than the moderator should actually run the presentation technically.”More >

]]> http://blog.collaborationmatters.com/blog/cmblog.nsf/dxcomments/web-conferencing-services-lotuslive-vs.-webex http://blog.collaborationmatters.com/blog/cmblog.nsf/dx/web-conferencing-services-lotuslive-vs.-webex?opendocument&comments Frustrated by Google account restrictions (especially Apps vs Plus)? Fri, 28 Oct 2011 15:54:06 +0100

]]> http://blog.collaborationmatters.com/blog/cmblog.nsf/dx/frustrated-by-google-account-restrictions-especially-apps-vs-plus google Stuart McIntyre http://blog.collaborationmatters.com/blog/cmblog.nsf/dx/frustrated-by-google-account-restrictions-especially-apps-vs-plus?opendocument&comments http://blog.collaborationmatters.com/blog/cmblog.nsf/dx/frustrated-by-google-account-restrictions-especially-apps-vs-plus
But... there is an answer. An answer that I was not aware of and I think isn't generally well known. You can login to more than one Google account simultaneously in the same browser:

Google is rolling out a feature I mentioned in a previous post: signing in to multiple Google accounts simultaneously from the same browser. When you go to the Google accounts page, you might see a new option: "multiple sign-in". If you don't see the new feature, it will probably be enabled soon.

After clicking on the "change" link, Google informs that this is an advanced feature and that it will only work for Gmail, Google Calendar, Google Sites, Google Reader, Google Voice, App Engine and Google Code. When multiple sign-in is enabled, a drop-down is displayed next to your email address at the top of the page, so you can quickly switch to a new account.

"If you use multiple sign-in, the first account you sign in to will be your default account. If you visit other Google products that don't support multiple accounts after you've signed in, you will automatically sign in to your default account for that product. If you sign out of any Google product while signed in to any account, you will be signed out of all your Google Accounts at once."

Do this for each of your Google accounts as your browser seamlessly knows which ID to use, and if there is any confusion, gives you an option to change account on the fly:

Many thanks to Donnie Berkholz of Redmonk for passing on the tip!

]]> http://blog.collaborationmatters.com/blog/cmblog.nsf/dxcomments/frustrated-by-google-account-restrictions-especially-apps-vs-plus http://blog.collaborationmatters.com/blog/cmblog.nsf/dx/frustrated-by-google-account-restrictions-especially-apps-vs-plus?opendocument&comments If there’s one book to read this year... Fri, 21 Oct 2011 21:35:46 +0100

]]> http://blog.collaborationmatters.com/blog/cmblog.nsf/dx/if-theres-one-book-to-read-this-year... books Stuart McIntyre http://blog.collaborationmatters.com/blog/cmblog.nsf/dx/if-theres-one-book-to-read-this-year...?opendocument&comments http://blog.collaborationmatters.com/blog/cmblog.nsf/dx/if-theres-one-book-to-read-this-year...

Due out on October 24. For me, this is definitely one to order in hardback - Kindle is great for a lot of material, but this will stay on my shelf...

]]> http://blog.collaborationmatters.com/blog/cmblog.nsf/dxcomments/if-theres-one-book-to-read-this-year... http://blog.collaborationmatters.com/blog/cmblog.nsf/dx/if-theres-one-book-to-read-this-year...?opendocument&comments