IBM to tap into unified communications

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Bangalore, March 19

IBM has announced a series of initiatives to tap into the unified communications market. Plans include a wide range of investments, product and technology advances and collaboration with leading clients and business partners.

Growing at 38 per cent annually, research-firm IDC estimates unified communications will reach $17 billion by 2011. IBM aims to make it easy for people to find, reach and collaborate with others through a unified user experience, said a company release.

Next year, IBM software and services will expand across devices from desktops and laptops to a range of devices from the likes of RIM, Apple, Sprint-Nextel and Symbian and across major platforms including Mac, Windows and Linux. Soon, the capabilities of the office will be available to users regardless of their device or location, added the release.

IBM will invest "significantly" in a range of resources. IBM Research is exploring several social and collaborative software projects with over 70 researchers dedicated to this work in eight research labs worldwide. In 2008, over 1,300 IBM software developers and technical experts will make "innovative contributions" to unified communications, the company said.

IBM's 'Venture Capital' programme is looking to "identify and fuel promising new innovations" in unified communications. IBM will also invest in expanding IBM Lotus Sametime software products.

Taken from Business Line

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