InformationWeek

May 31, 1999

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Easy Real-Time Collaboration

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Related links:

Desktop Software Resource Center

And from our sister publications:

Windows Magazine Sametime Is Real-Time, Web-Based Collaboration

InternetWeek Chat And Collaboration

For longer conversations, two or more people can set up a chat session--an impromptu version of the meetings described earlier--in which they can interact via text messages. Instant messages can only be sent to users logged on to Sametime Server using either the Notes client or the Sametime Connect client, and who indicate they're willing to receive instant messages. You'll probably find this informal messaging is great for improving communication within workgroups in which some members are physically isolated, such as those in different buildings or cities.

Users can also use a browser or other client to check Sametime Server's database of scheduled meetings. Authorized users can schedule meetings, and the scheduler can control who participates. When a user joins the meeting using a Web browser, the Sametime Server downloads a Java applet that provides the real-time conversation features.

Once in a meeting, users can doodle on a shared white board, share an application, or use Microsoft's NetMeeting for real-time chatting. With application sharing, users are actually sharing access to all or part of the meeting host's screen, mouse, and keyboard--in effect, real-time collaboration, as users can take turns driving the mouse, typing on the keyboard, and viewing the updates. This is a handy feature, excellent for revising documents.

The features worked reliably, and with little load on the Sametime Server. One drawback: Application sharing is choppy. Like all remote-control applications, updates were jerky and unpleasant to view. Application sharing was too slow to be appealing when dialing in to our network on a 33.6-Kbps modem.

Customize It
Lotus says you can customize the Server's screens, databases, and other features using tools such as Domino Designer, but we didn't test these features. We also didn't test integration with Domino, but the documentation claims Sametime's features appear as new core services available to the Domino server engine and are accessible through the Notes client.

Sametime contains no voice capability. Lotus assumes you'll conduct a phone conversation to collaborate during application sharing, and while this is a minor drawback for one-to-one sessions, organizing a dreaded conference call becomes necessary for bigger sessions.

Is Sametime right for you? If your company relies on phone calls between staff to handle quick messages, or if members of workgroups are separated, Sametime's instant messaging and chatting might improve productivity. Without voice and video, however, it doesn't offer enough benefits for fully productive real-time meetings. Even though it integrates well with Lotus Notes/ Domino, and you can customize its features with Domino Designer, it's fine as a standalone item on your network.

Alan Zeichick is a principal analyst with Camden Associates, which conducts independent technology research. He can be reached at zeichick@camdenassociates.com.

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