New tools must play well with others

IBM bases its collaboration strategy around its Lotus Notes and Domino messaging software which it integrates with IBM's WebSphere Portal application, while communications tools like IM and web conferencing are additional options.

Microsoft is embedding collaborative features into future versions of its desktop and server applications, particularly in Office and Outlook. Dedicated collaboration tools include Live Communications Server 2005, its enterprise IM and file sharing platform, and Live Meeting, a conferencing tool. In Hong Kong, Mandarin Hotels and CiF, New World's IT arm, have both recently deployed Live Communications Server.

Meanwhile Novell recently announced the latest version of its collaboration platform, GroupWise 7. This features integrated email and instant messaging, enhanced Outlook support and a pre-bundled SUSE Linux Enterprise Server.

According to a report by research firm Gartner, by 2009, 80 percent of collaborative tools will incorporate asynchronous and real-time capabilities in the same application. Gartner said that, to achieve effective collaboration, emerging real-time tools will have to blend well with existing asynchronous tools like email and discussion boards.