Per CIO mag, Lotus Sametime version 7.5, is to be released in the next 30 days. What’s noteworthy about this release are three things:

  • Linux version - the app has been ported to Linux, making a viable Linux OS alternative to the Exchange / Live Communications Server
  • Sametime will now be linked with popular public IM networks, including AOL, Yahoo and Google (MSN is conspicuously absent… so strange)
  • VOIP functionality

While all of the above are noteworthy and any one of them might lure a potential customer into IBM’s camp, the real strategic move is the Linux support. Notes / Domino already runs on Linux but Sametime truely equips courageous companies and institutions considering breaking ranks and not continuing the Windows tradition with Vista. IBM has been doing all it can to mitigate those final fears for those considering Linux on the desktop, including building links between Sametime and Microsoft’s Outlook, Office and SharePoint applications (not in ver. 7.5 but soon)

Per analyst Jim Muphy in the CIO article:

The porting of Sametime to Linux is yet another swipe IBM is taking at Microsoft, said Jim Murphy, research director with AMR Research. With this move, IBM offers a lower-cost operating system alternative for Sametime as many customers ponder whether to invest in Vista, Windows’ upcoming upgrade, a likely more expensive and longer-term commitment, he said. “There’s a lot of competitive positioning in this move,” Murphy said.

As a note with respect to MSN compatibility, I’m not sure what effect if any MSN’s lack of involvement will have. The article states, MSN has next to no marketshare but in much of the world, notably Europe, it dominates. I can’t imagine this would keep anyone from adopting it in a corporate or educational environment though.

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