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March 19, 2008
IBM, Forterra Using Unified Communications in Virtual Worlds
By Anshu Shrivastava, TMCnet Contributing Editor
IBM (News - Alert) and Forterra have entered into an agreement under which Forterra will integrate its On-Line Interactive Virtual Environment (OLIVE) 3D platform with the IBM Lotus Sametime software and the IBM Unified Communications (News - Alert) and Collaboration (UC2) platform.
Both the companies are expecting that via this collaboration they will be able to solve an age-old problem that challenges U.S. security and costs taxpayers millions.
As per the terms of the agreement, Forterra will deliver plug-ins to the Lotus Sametime platform and integration to the IBM Lotus Notes calendar that allow access, scheduling and launching of meetings in the virtual world.
Forterra will also embed key services, such as presence and location information, document, whiteboard, and application sharing, from the Lotus Sametime platform into the virtual world to enable effective communication and collaboration within the context of a situation or a meeting.
It is often noted by officials of U.S. government agencies that their agencies are hampered in their efforts to work together by the use of different communications systems and procedures.
The new system would give online collaborators instant insight through the display and discussion of multiple data forms in parallel including documents, graphic displays, and human expertise via anytime, anywhere connectivity through the Internet or a mobile phone.
This Forterra solution, including IBM technology, is being designed to build collaboration and real-time information sharing between analysts and operators within and between government agencies, according to Forterra’s officials.
Officials pointed out that the integration between Forterra’s virtual collaboration applications with IBM Lotus Sametime software carries the potential to become the primary collaboration platform used throughout the intelligence community, and with other branches of the government.
Noting that the value of Unified Communications and Collaboration does not come from singular features like click-to-call, Bruce Morse, vice president at IBM Unified Communications and Collaboration, commented in a statement, “The true value of UC2 is realized when multiple collaboration capabilities are well integrated within a business task or process—like bringing several organizations together to share, review, approve and take immediate actions for national security.”
He explained that integration with the IBM Lotus Sametime Unified Telephony offering will allow any landline PBX
, VoiP, or mobile phone caller to join a virtual meeting.
Dave Rolston, CEO at Forterra Systems, said “Our relationship with IBM and forthcoming integration to Lotus’ leading UC2 technologies enables us to deliver critical functionality that builds on strategic investment.”
Forterra Systems is a venture backed software company providing online distributed virtual world technology for the corporate, healthcare, government, and entertainment industries.
Also, Forterra plans to develop a futuristic unified communications solution code-named “Babel Bridge” that could allow US intelligence agencies to use a common graphical collaboration system to instantly communicate within a virtual world.
“Babel Bridge” is part of Forterra’s ongoing efforts to build enterprise ready 3D Internet solutions. The solution is planned for development beginning in the second quarter of 2008.
In addition, IBM and Forterra have entered into negotiations for Frontera to resell Lotus Sametime software through an OEM (original equipment manufacturer) model with its virtual world solutions focused on its business processes which include collaboration, training, product lifecycle management, and operations management.
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Anshu Shrivastava is a contributing editor for TMCnet. To see more of her articles, please visit her columnist page.
Don’t forget to check out TMCnet’s White Paper Library, which provides a selection of in-depth information on relevant topics affecting the IP Communications industry. The library offers white papers, case studies and other documents which are free to registered users. Today’s featured white paper is The “BRAIN” Model of Intelligibility in Business Telephony, brought to you by Polycom (News - Alert).
Both the companies are expecting that via this collaboration they will be able to solve an age-old problem that challenges U.S. security and costs taxpayers millions.
As per the terms of the agreement, Forterra will deliver plug-ins to the Lotus Sametime platform and integration to the IBM Lotus Notes calendar that allow access, scheduling and launching of meetings in the virtual world.
Forterra will also embed key services, such as presence and location information, document, whiteboard, and application sharing, from the Lotus Sametime platform into the virtual world to enable effective communication and collaboration within the context of a situation or a meeting.
It is often noted by officials of U.S. government agencies that their agencies are hampered in their efforts to work together by the use of different communications systems and procedures.
The new system would give online collaborators instant insight through the display and discussion of multiple data forms in parallel including documents, graphic displays, and human expertise via anytime, anywhere connectivity through the Internet or a mobile phone.
This Forterra solution, including IBM technology, is being designed to build collaboration and real-time information sharing between analysts and operators within and between government agencies, according to Forterra’s officials.
Officials pointed out that the integration between Forterra’s virtual collaboration applications with IBM Lotus Sametime software carries the potential to become the primary collaboration platform used throughout the intelligence community, and with other branches of the government.
Noting that the value of Unified Communications and Collaboration does not come from singular features like click-to-call, Bruce Morse, vice president at IBM Unified Communications and Collaboration, commented in a statement, “The true value of UC2 is realized when multiple collaboration capabilities are well integrated within a business task or process—like bringing several organizations together to share, review, approve and take immediate actions for national security.”
He explained that integration with the IBM Lotus Sametime Unified Telephony offering will allow any landline PBX
, VoiP, or mobile phone caller to join a virtual meeting.Dave Rolston, CEO at Forterra Systems, said “Our relationship with IBM and forthcoming integration to Lotus’ leading UC2 technologies enables us to deliver critical functionality that builds on strategic investment.”
Forterra Systems is a venture backed software company providing online distributed virtual world technology for the corporate, healthcare, government, and entertainment industries.
Also, Forterra plans to develop a futuristic unified communications solution code-named “Babel Bridge” that could allow US intelligence agencies to use a common graphical collaboration system to instantly communicate within a virtual world.
“Babel Bridge” is part of Forterra’s ongoing efforts to build enterprise ready 3D Internet solutions. The solution is planned for development beginning in the second quarter of 2008.
In addition, IBM and Forterra have entered into negotiations for Frontera to resell Lotus Sametime software through an OEM (original equipment manufacturer) model with its virtual world solutions focused on its business processes which include collaboration, training, product lifecycle management, and operations management.
---------
Anshu Shrivastava is a contributing editor for TMCnet. To see more of her articles, please visit her columnist page.
Don’t forget to check out TMCnet’s White Paper Library, which provides a selection of in-depth information on relevant topics affecting the IP
Communications industry. The library offers white papers, case studies and other documents which are free to registered users. Today’s featured white paper is The “BRAIN” Model of Intelligibility in Business Telephony, brought to you by Polycom (News - Alert). » More VoiceCon Stories
