SAP uses web to improve collaboration tools

SAP uses web to improve collaboration tools
By Geoff Nairn

Published: April 7 2010 10:54 | Last updated: April 7 2010 10:54

SAP StreamWork is a web-based collaboration product and the latest attempt by the German giant to reinvent itself for the brave new Web 2.0 world.

StreamWork aims to help groups of employees make better collaborative decisions. Previously known as 12sprints, SAP StreamWork has come out of beta release and is now generally available.

Pricing starts at $9 a month for each user. There is also a free edition with limited storage and features.

Cisco makes iPad a meeting place...

Cisco unveils the WebEx Meeting Centre for iPad, a free app that lets iPad users participate in web meetings. Cisco argues the iPad is an ideal device for web meetings, and this app fully exploits the iPad user interface to allow animation, visual effects, user movements and touch.

But as the iPad currently lacks a webcam, iPad users may struggle to get their message across when other meeting participants use video conferencing.

,,,And Citrix aims iPad apps at mobile workers

Citrix has also caught the iPad bug. The virtualisation software firm has unveiled two iPad apps, Citrix Receiver and Citrix GoToMeeting, aimed at mobile workers.

The Receiver app lets iPad owners securely access corporate applications and documents when on the road, while Citrix GoToMeeting lets them collaborate via online meetings. Both apps are available free from Apple’s App Store.

Oracle revamps middleware

Oracle has released Tuxedo 11g, a new version of its heavy-duty middleware product revamped to wrestle business from IBM.

Tuxedo 11g incorporates an emulator that allows businesses running CICS, IBM’s rival transaction processing middleware, to migrate their CICS applications off IBM mainframes without having to rewrite the code. Oracle acquired Tuxedo when it bought BEA Systems in 2008.

Web-based HR app from SuccessFactors

SuccessFactors, a specialist in human resources software, is launching SuccessFactors Express in the Google Apps Marketplace.

The web-based application lets small businesses manage their employees using HR functions typically associated with much bigger businesses, including goal planning, progress tracking and performance reviews. Pricing starts at $895 a year for the first five users.

Early warning system from Symantec

Symantec launches Web Security Monitoring, a managed security service aimed at enterprises. The US security vendor says web applications are often the Achilles’ heel for organisations as cybercriminals shift from e-mail-borne spam to ”stealth” attacks on corporate websites.

The new service aims to provide early warning of potential malicious activity on a corporate website.

Lenovo offers Sprint option

WiFi, who needs it? Lenovo has added Sprint to the list of US carriers whose broadband wireless data services are supported. That means certain Lenovo laptops can be supplied with a Sprint SIM card already installed and Lenovo’s Access Connection tool, which supports both 3G and 4G network connections.

Sprint’s 4G network, capable of up to 6 megabits per second, is available in about 33 US cities.

IBM expands server range

IBM adds a new eX5 line to its System X family of Intel-based enterprise servers, which old hands may remember as the Netfinity range.

The eX5 systems use Intel’s new Xeon 7500 processor and the first two models are the System x3850 X5, which comes in four and eight-processor configurations, and a blade variant, the BladeCenter HX5, available in two and four-processor configurations. Prices start at around $4,600.

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