Plumtree Delivers Collaboration Server Upgrade

Latest version features integration with the desktop and personal productivity tools to promote cooperation on both sides of firewall

Latest version features integration with the desktop and personal productivity tools to promote cooperation on both sides of firewall

Hollywood, FL — October 15, 2004 — Solution provider Plumtree Software this week announced the general availability of Plumtree Collaboration Server 4.0, which includes new integration designed to help enterprises promote collaboration between people and systems on both sides of the firewall.

This version of Collaboration Server features desktop, groupware, Microsoft Office, Microsoft Project and instant messaging integration. In addition, a new Web Services-based programming interface for Collaboration Server lets developers embed discrete elements of collaborative functionality in a variety of Web applications.

The provider said that Collaboration Server 4.0 is a core component of its strategy to provide a framework for building composite applications that integrate human-managed activities, information and services across the extended enterprise.

"Collaboration Server 4.0 makes sharing information with internal and external audiences as simple as 'drag and drop,' effectively bridging the gap between the Web and personal productivity tools that workers use to manage daily activities," Plumtree said in announcing the solution. "As a result, organizations can improve project performance and reduce print, mail and e-mail costs, without forcing users to change the way they work."

The new version of Collaboration Server is closely integrated with the Plumtree Enterprise Web Suite, making it possible for customers to assemble and deliver composite applications that draw on search, administration, knowledge management and security framework of the entire suite, Plumtree said.

The new features in Collaboration Server 4.0 expand upon document management, calendaring, task management, threaded discussions, notifications and search capabilities already familiar to Plumtree customers.

New features include:

  • Desktop integration: Users can drag and drop desktop files to create new projects and can manage project documents in Windows Explorer like they would manage files on their desktop.

  • Groupware integration: Users can update and synchronize project calendars with their Exchange or Lotus Notes calendars to create a universal calendar.

  • MS Project integration: Users can import MS Project files as task lists, "surface" the tasks in shared calendars and generate notifications on the tasks.

  • MS Office integration: Users can create new Office or template-based files directly from projects.

  • WebEdit: Users can edit files directly on the server, making changes to team documents without downloading a local copy.

  • Instant Messaging: Customers can add presence awareness to collaboration projects so members can see who is online and instant message item owners like document authors or teammates with outstanding tasks.

  • Web Services based APIs: Customers can programmatically imbed collaboration services in dynamic composite applications.
"Collaboration is the most important element of composite applications that let knowledge-workers get work done," said Jay Simons, vice president of product strategy and product marketing at Plumtree Software. "Many customers wrestle with dozens if not hundreds of diverse systems and packaged applications that they deliver to diverse audiences inside and outside of the enterprise. As an independent software vendor not tied to a stack or tools set, Plumtree is uniquely positioned to help customers unify systems and audiences without 'ripping and replacing' or hiring an army of consultants."
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