Intel, Web 2.0 Firms Build Collaboration Tool

Very ambitious project and extremely good for competition. Although they claim to compete with Microsoft, IBM and Salesforce.com (not Google ?) the proposed solution components only seem to address part of what comprises a Communication & Collaboration Platform. Also with at least six different stakeholders I do wonder how this will impact their individual goals and ambitions. The looser the commitment the less integrated the offering will become.

… Six software companies that specialize in next-generation Web applications announced plans to launch a collaboration software suite for business productivity.

NewsGator, SimpleFeed, Six Apart, Socialtext, SpikeSource, and Visible Path are introducing SuiteTwo this week to coincide with the Web 2.0 Expo in San Francisco. The collaboration software includes advanced Web applications that incorporate blogging powered by Movable Type; RSS courtesy of NewsGator; a search wiki thanks to Socialtext; and new social networking capabilities from Visible Path into a single application.

The services — hosted by SpikeSource — are accessed through a single sign-on and rich user interface. Initially, the software suite will be offered in English and Japanese. Resellers can purchase SuiteTwo through Tech Data.

The companies say they saw a need to provide collaboration tools for enterprise-level businesses that could compete with similar products from Microsoft, IBM, and Salesforce.com. By using the RSS, blogging, and wiki platforms, companies could improve a sales team’s collaboration, a call center’s communications, and speed employee training. …

Source: InformationWeek.com