While being number two in what is arguably the world`s largest software arena would perturb some, for Lotus Development it`s no great shakes. The company can afford to listen to customers unhappy with the #1 product, incorporate that feedback and come to market with something that really works ... without having to worry that the world is critiquing its every move.
That`s the word from Scott Allan, senior product marketing manager at Lotus` Internet applications division, out in South Africa to promote the upcoming Millennium Edition of SmartSuite. And he has plenty to say to local businesses about Lotus` strategy for the desktop space.
"It`s a volatile environment: network computing pilots are being run around the world; users are spending more time in browsers accessing intranets; and the momentum behind Java continues to increase," he says.
"Demands on office suites are therefore changing - software developers need to deliver the right tools for the right people, not ones that are simply bigger and better looking."
For Lotus this has meant canvassing the market for opinions on features that are necessary to a suite. And the first-time inclusion of a comprehensive intranet/Web publishing tool (FastSite) in Millennium Edition is one of the results.
"Webmasters trying to maintain a company`s Internet and intranet presence are overloaded. So we decided to offer end users a secure means of publishing content," explains Allan.
While not a new concept (publishing to HTML functionality was available in SmartSuite 97) individual conversion is no longer necessary as FastSite facilitates batch publishing of 1-2-3, Word Pro or Freelance Graphics files and even Microsoft Office files. The program also creates the basics of a Web page - backgrounds, links and navigation buttons - thereby freeing users up to focus on their actual jobs.
"We believe FastSite bridges the gap between fat and thin clients: SmartSuite content can be quickly published to an intranet and then be accessed via a browser," says Allan.
So if intranet integration is the way forward, what of the hype surrounding Lotus` Java productivity software, eSuite? When the product hit the streets in March this year, NCs were touted by all but Microsoft as the answer to corporate computing needs. And Lotus was right there, first to market with an application set coded in pure Java.
"eSuite is a huge priority for us, but not as a replacement for SmartSuite - it is aimed at those users not requiring a fully-functional office package, and it broadens the market for productivity software, " clarifies Allan.
Compatibility with office suite file formats including SmartSuite, Microsoft Office, and Corel Wordperfect is on the top of the list of upcoming enhancements. HTML is the file format for eSuite applets and other compatibility efforts are underway.
"Currently eSuite ships with filters that allow the viewing of documents created in SmartSuite, MS Office or Corel`s suite. Going forward, we`ll build on that functionality so the transfer of data to and from office suites is seamless.
"Like our competitors we`re looking at technology such as XML, thereby doing away with file format inconsistencies. Compatibility is an issue for all vendors and we`re all working on a solution."
The Java suite is comprised of eSuite WorkPlace and eSuite DevPack. The former is the desktop client that offers e-mail, Web browsing, terminal emulation and a set of compact productivity applets. The latter is a graphical interface for coding applications, regardless of end user platform.
"NCs are still under evaluation by a lot of people - it`s a big decision to change your fundamental way of computing" adds Allan.
"However, while people are still seeing the cost price of PCs dropping, they are aware of the cost of ownership issues and are realising they can benefit from NCs.
"This is particularly true in the mainframe and legacy systems area. For example, companies can give AS/400 `green screen` users Internet messaging and productivity applications while retaining access to the back end systems with emulation software. There is huge potential in that market, especially in South Africa."
This smooth exchange of information between the two flavours of desktop productivity suites and the integration with networked computers is no accident. Allan says Lotus has been strategically planning it from the outset.
"The hype originally surrounded Active-X, and we wrote component applications based on it. But Active-X is restricted to the Windows platform. When the Internet growth exploded and people started talking about Java, Lotus refocused its R&D efforts on developing cross-platform solutions in the new language."
And for the future?
"We have listened to our customers. They have told us that cross-platform capabilities, centralised information management and I*Net [intranet/Internet] integration are critical," says Allan.
"By releasing a Y2K-compliant office suite and consistently supporting development efforts in Java, we are close to delivering a total desktop solution."
For more information on Lotus` strategy for desktop computing, point a browser to www.lotus.com
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