IBM has added features to the business services that it offers under the umbrella of LotusLive, in a hosted, or "cloud" mode. LotusLive contains integrated e-mail, Web conferencing, social networking and collaboration tools for companies interacting with their customers, partners and colleagues. The product now includes integrated business products and services from UPS, Skype, salesforce.com and Silanis. Specifically, IBM is integrating UPS shipping and visibility functionality into LotusLive. The enhancement, available later this year, is intended to speed up various shipping-related tasks, allowing users to manage details directly from their LotusLive dashboard. In addition, companies will be able to use files from LotusLive in Silanis (provider of an electronic signature service), launch them in a meeting from Salesforce customer-relationship management software, launch a call over the internet with Skype, or ship a package with UPS, all in the same work flow within LotusLive. Users will be able to make voice calls via Skype by clicking on the appropriate name or number within their Lotus Live contact lists. IBM also announced that users, beginning today, can purchase a new bundle of secure cloud e-mail and social networking services for only $7 per month. The company has added Finnish, Norwegian and Swedish to the languages available within LotusLive.
