IBM Workplace
| Company type | Product suite |
|---|---|
| Industry | Collaborative software, Groupware |
| Founded | 2003 |
| Defunct | 2007 |
| Fate | Brand retired; technologies integrated into Lotus and WebSphere products |
| Parent | IBM Lotus Software |
IBM Workplace was a collaborative software suite developed by IBM's Lotus Software division, intended as a new generation of teamwork solutions compatible with IBM’s Java EE-based WebSphere Portal platform. Introduced in 2003, the brand was largely retired by 2007, with its essential technologies and products transitioning under the Lotus or WebSphere banners.
History
At the 2002 Lotusphere event, IBM’s Lotus division unveiled its Java EE-driven "NextGen" project, which later materialized as the Workplace brand at Lotusphere 2003. The first release, Workplace Messaging, provided a streamlined email client. Later additions expanded the portfolio to include instant messaging and document management capabilities. The 2004 release of Workplace 2.0 supported both desktop rich client applications and browser-based access.
Workplace’s goals overlapped with those of IBM’s existing Lotus Notes and Domino platforms, raising customer apprehensions regarding their continuity. IBM responded by showcasing integration strategies between Workplace and Notes/Domino in 2005 and subsequently incorporated Notes and Domino into the "Workplace family."
By 2007, most products under the Workplace brand were either discontinued—such as Workplace Messaging—or rebranded under Lotus or WebSphere. Mike Rhodin, then general manager of Lotus Software, noted that Workplace functioned as an innovation catalyst within Lotus, with successful elements eventually absorbed into core offerings. Furthermore, IBM recognized that maintaining multiple overlapping brands created confusion in the marketplace.
Foundational Technologies
IBM Workplace Client Technology was an application framework based on the Eclipse Rich Client Platform (RCP) version 3.0 and developed using Java. It provided capabilities for managing rich client applications, including offline data synchronization and server-controlled application deployment.
This platform later evolved into IBM Lotus Expeditor.
IBM Workplace Collaboration Services
IBM Workplace Collaboration Services integrated various communication and collaboration functions such as e-mail, calendaring, scheduling, presence awareness, instant messaging, e-learning, team workspaces, Web conferencing, as well as document and web content management.
Support for this service ended on September 30, 2009. Its role was largely assumed by Lotus-branded solutions including Notes, Domino, Sametime, Quickr, and Connections.
IBM Workplace Managed Client
The IBM Workplace Managed Client was a server-controlled rich client designed for Workplace Collaboration Services that offered offline access to email, calendar, scheduling, and document management features. It incorporated a plug-in enabling execution of Lotus Notes 7 applications alongside office productivity tools derived from OpenOffice.org version 1.1.4.
Version 2.6 was released on January 23, 2006.
This client introduced Activity Explorer, a collaboration utility allowing teams to oversee projects through an object hierarchy organizing related documents, messages, and links shared among participants.
The Workplace Managed Client is no longer available on the market and has been replaced by Lotus Notes, Domino, and Symphony. The functionalities of Activity Explorer have since been integrated into IBM Lotus Connections.
IBM Workplace Forms
Previously known as IBM Workplace Forms, the suite is currently marketed under the name IBM Lotus Forms. This collection of tools facilitates the design and distribution of XML-based electronic forms that are driven by data for end users.