HCL Sametime Overview and Key Features

HCL Sametime is a powerful communication platform that enables teams to collaborate more effectively. It's designed to integrate with various HCL and third-party applications, making it a versatile tool for businesses.

One of the key benefits of HCL Sametime is its ability to provide real-time communication and collaboration capabilities, including instant messaging, video conferencing, and screen sharing. This allows teams to work together seamlessly, regardless of their location.

HCL Sametime's user interface is intuitive and easy to navigate, with a clean and modern design that makes it simple to find what you need. With its robust features and user-friendly interface, it's no wonder that HCL Sametime is a popular choice among businesses.

A different take: Communication Service for the Deaf

HCL Sametime is a communication software that offers a reliable alternative to conventional means of communication like telephone, email, or other traditional methods.

The software was originally developed and operated by IBM as IBM Sametime for a long time.

HCL acquired the software in 2019 and revised it with new functions and better quality.

The software is a combination of video, telephony, and instant messaging, with a conference facility and the ability to share, forward, and process data.

Recommended read: List of SIP Software

HCL Sametime is a communication software that offers an alternative to traditional channels like telephone, email, or other conventional means. It's designed for companies that need reliable, organized, and cost-effective communication.

The software was originally developed and operated by IBM as IBM Sametime for a long time. In 2019, HCL took over the software and revised it with new functions and better quality.

Sametime is a combination of video, telephony, and instant messaging, along with a conference facility. It also allows data sharing, forwarding, and processing. This makes it easy to work on projects with team members over long distances in real-time.

Initially, the software was based on a Java and web client surfer architecture. It can be integrated with other systems and offers real-time communication in various ways, simplifying collaboration over the Internet.

Here are some key features of Sametime:

HCL is a technology company that acquired IBM's Collaboration and Content Services Division, which includes Sametime.

HCL was founded in 1991 in India by Shiv Nadar and Ajai Chowdhry.

HCL's acquisition of IBM's division marked a significant shift in the company's focus towards enterprise software solutions.

HCL Sametime is a unified communications platform that enables real-time communication and collaboration among team members.

The platform includes features such as instant messaging, video conferencing, and screen sharing.

HCL Sametime has been widely adopted by various industries, including finance, healthcare, and education.

Discover more: Samsung Ativ S

HCL Sametime offers a range of features to support business communication and collaboration.

The software comes in four levels of functionality: Limited Use, Standard, Advanced, and Unified Telephony. Limited Use provides basic presence and instant messaging.

HCL Sametime Standard offers additional features, including rich presence, rich-media chat, group and multi-way chat, web conferencing, and interoperability with public IM networks.

With HCL Sametime Advanced, you get persistent chat rooms, instant screen sharing, and geographic location services.

HCL Sametime Unified Telephony adds telephony features, including telephony presence, softphone, click-to-call and click-to-conference, and incoming call management.

For another approach, see: List of Skype Features

Here are some key features of HCL Sametime:

HCL Sametime also supports integration with other applications, including HCL Connections Files and Profiles, and calendar integration with HCL Notes and Microsoft Outlook.

HCL Sametime supports integration with various applications and business processes, often referred to as Communications Enabled Business Processes.

This integration can be achieved in two ways: by surfacing the application into an HCL Sametime plug-in or by surfacing HCL Sametime capabilities into the target application.

Some examples of integrated applications include HCL's own products, such as HCL Notes and HCL Domino applications, as well as Microsoft office-productivity software like Microsoft Office and Microsoft Outlook.

HCL Sametime Connect, the client component, is built on the Eclipse platform, allowing developers familiar with the framework to easily write plug-ins for HCL Sametime.

The software supports standard protocols, including Session Initiation Protocol (SIP), SIMPLE, T.120, XMPP, and H.323, in addition to its proprietary Virtual Places protocol.

Recommended read: Microsoft NetMeeting

HCL Sametime Connect can run on various platforms, including Microsoft Windows, Linux, and macOS, with a zero-download web client available for Microsoft Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, and Apple Safari.

Here are some of the platforms supported by HCL Sametime Connect:

The HCL Sametime server, on the other hand, runs on a variety of operating systems, including Microsoft Windows, IBM AIX, IBM i, Linux, and Solaris.

HCL Sametime supports integration with various applications and business processes, making it a versatile tool for real-time communications. This integration is often referred to as Communications Enabled Business Processes.

Sametime integrates with applications in two ways: by surfacing the application into an HCL Sametime plug-in, or by surfacing HCL Sametime capabilities into the target application.

Some examples of integration include HCL's own products, such as HCL Notes, HCL Domino applications, and HCL Connections, as well as Microsoft office-productivity software and portal applications.

The client component of HCL Sametime, HCL Sametime Connect, is built on the Eclipse platform, allowing developers familiar with the framework to easily write plug-ins for HCL Sametime.

HCL Sametime Connect supports a range of protocols, including Session Initiation Protocol (SIP), SIMPLE, T.120, XMPP, and H.323, in addition to its proprietary Virtual Places protocol.

The software can run on various operating systems, including Microsoft Windows, Linux, and macOS, and also offers a zero-download web client for popular browsers like Microsoft Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, and Apple Safari.

Mobile clients are also supported for a range of devices, including Apple iPhone, Android, Microsoft Windows Mobile, RIM Blackberry, and Symbian.

The HCL Sametime server runs on multiple platforms, including Microsoft Windows, IBM AIX, IBM i (formerly i5/OS), Linux, and Solaris.

Here are some of the platforms that HCL Sametime supports:

IBM Gateway is a powerful tool that enables server-to-server interoperability between different communities.

It provides conversion services for various protocols, presence information, and instant messaging, allowing IBM Sametime Instant Messaging to connect with external communities, including external IBM Samtime and public instant messaging communities like AOL and Google Talk.

Check this out: Live Communications Server 2003

The IBM Sametime Gateway replaces the Sametime Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) gateway from previous versions of IBM Samtime.

It's based on IBM Web Sphere application servers, which provide failover, clustering, and scalability for IBM Samtime Gateway deployment.

The product comes with Virtual Places, SIP, and XMPP connectors, and additional protocol connectors can be added.

With the new version 11, WebSphere is no longer required, providing a more streamlined and efficient experience.

For your interest: Gateway (telecommunications)

HCL Sametime can be integrated into your application in two ways: by integrating the application into a Sametime plug-in or by integrating Sametime functions in the target application.

Developers will appreciate the Sametime Connect client component, based on the Eclipse platform, which allows them to easily write plug-ins for Samtime. This is a huge advantage for developers.

Sametime Connect supports a range of operating systems, including Microsoft Windows, Linux, and macOS, as well as a web client for Microsoft Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, and Apple Safari.

Here are the different variants of HCL Sametime:

Sametime Server runs on various operating systems, including Microsoft Windows, IBM AIX, IBM i, Linux, and Solaris.

When working with different communication tools, it's essential to understand the various options available. HCL Sametime offers three distinct variants: Sametime Communicate, Sametime Conference, and Sametime Complete.

Sametime Communicate is a great starting point for teams. It provides access to essential communication channels like video telephony and instant messaging.

The three variants of HCL Sametime cater to different needs and preferences. Here's a brief overview of each:

Each variant offers a range of features to enhance communication. Sametime Complete, for example, provides real-time access to video telephony, telephony, instant messaging, and conference calls worldwide.

There are two main integration methods for Sametime: integrating the application into a Sametime plug-in and integrating Sametime functions in the target application.

Sametime Connect, the client component of IBM Sametime, is built on the Eclipse platform, which makes it easy for developers familiar with the framework to write plug-ins for Sametime.

Developers can also integrate Samtime functions into the target application, allowing for seamless communication and collaboration.

Here are the two integration methods in detail:

Sametime supports both integration methods, making it a versatile tool for developers and businesses alike.

By using Sametime Connect, developers can easily create plug-ins for Samtime, streamlining the development process.

The proprietary protocol Virtual Places is used by Sametime, but it also supports standard protocols, including Session Initiation Protocol (SIP), SIMPLE, T.120, XMPP, and H.323.

Sametime Connect can run on multiple platforms, including Microsoft Windows, Linux, and macOS, making it accessible to a wide range of users.

Mobile clients are also supported for various devices, including Apple iPhone, Android, Microsoft Windows Mobile, RIM Blackberry, and Symbian.

Curious to learn more? Check out: Mobile Collaboration

HCL Sametime Premium is a powerful solution that allows companies to work securely and remotely while reducing operational costs. It's designed for companies that want to reinvent a virtual meeting space that's totally secure and optimized for work.

This solution is deployable on-premise, on a private or public cloud, giving you complete control over your web conferencing and data. HCL Sametime Premium integrates perfectly with various collaboration tools, providing many features that enhance your virtual meetings and communication.

For another approach, see: Virtual Press Conference

Some of the key features of HCL Sametime Premium include uncompromising confidentiality, encryption, and data auditability, making your data and conversations protected in a private cloud or on-site. You can also enjoy meetings and chat just a click away, with continuous chat that allows teams to discuss without losing context.

Video recording allows you to stay informed after the call is over, and screen sharing enables you to collaborate in real-time. Document sharing is also available, thanks to Etherpad integration. Additionally, you can choose the screen to display when there are multiple screen shares, and customize the space with your company logo, wallpapers, and meeting types.

The solution is available in thick client, web, and PWA for the chat part, and web for the meeting part. It's also downloadable on the Apple and Android stores for phones and tablets. If you want to try HCL Samite Premium for free, you can create a sandbox account and access sample applications, training tutorials, and videos.

If you're an existing customer, don't worry – your licenses will be transferred to HCL, and you'll need to re-register your account to continue using the software and accessing the full scope of your purchased license. If you have a current license from IBM and are dependent on support, you can get it from HCL without restrictions.

See what others are reading: Web Conferencing

For new customers, you'll need to contact HCL to get an offer, and provide your company data via email so they can tailor the license to your individual requirements. Only the Sametime Complete version is currently available for purchase, but existing customers of the Communicate or Conference Version can submit special requests for renewals to HCL.

One of the benefits of being an existing customer is that you can upgrade to the new version free of charge, giving you immediate access to the new and better version. This is part of the subscription, and you'll also receive free upgrades during the term of the license, including Fix Packs.

Here's a summary of the licensing changes:

HCL offers a range of products that complement HCL Sametime, including HCL BigFix, a platform for IT operations management and automation.

HCL BigFix is a key component of HCL's product portfolio, providing real-time visibility and control over IT operations.

One notable product is HCL Domino Application Upgrade Checker, which helps organizations upgrade their Domino applications with minimal disruption.

HCL Domino/Traveler Monitoring is another product that provides real-time monitoring and management of Domino and Traveler environments.

The following products are part of the HCL portfolio: