Microsoft, Groove Plan to Integrate Apps
Computerworld -
Microsoft Corp.'s $51 million investment in Groove Networks Inc. will bear fruit this fall with the planned release of an integration kit that's designed to help end users collaborate on projects.
The companies last week announced that Groove's flagship Workspace peer-to-peer software is being integrated with Microsoft's SharePoint Team Services. SharePoint is a server-based technology that's being built into Windows and other Microsoft products to facilitate collaboration by project team members via a shared Web site.
Groove's integration kit will let users work off-line and then automatically synchronize data with their team's Web site. It also aims to let users work securely across firewalls at different companies. But all users must run the 24MB Workspace client, Groove said.
The standard edition of the client sells for $49, and the professional edition costs $99. A Groove spokesman said the Beverly, Mass.-based company hasn't decided if it will charge for the integration kit.
Microsoft invested in Groove last October . Workspace and SharePoint are "a wonderful product match," said Bruce Temkin, an analyst at Forrester Research Inc. in Cambridge, Mass. But last week's announcement "represents almost no commitment on Microsoft's part," he added. For example, Microsoft doesn't plan to sell the joint product, Temkin said.
But SharePoint product manager Trina Seinfeld said many groups within Microsoft are talking to Groove about its software. "I think you'll see more and more ways we're working together with Groove," she said.
Networking
Additional Resources



White Papers & Webcasts
CIO Viewpoints: Exchange 2007 Risks and Mitigation Strategies
Download This Whitepaper Today!
Key Strategies for Managing Data Growth
What are you storage challenges?
Applying Remote Support Technology for Maximum Impact
Download Now!
Extending Client Refresh - 11 Steps to Maximize Savings
Register Now!
IBM Migration Factory: A smooth transition to new technology
Find out how to migrate your applications smoothly over to IBM.
Lower the Cost and Complexity of a Mobile Workforce through Automation
Download This Resource Now!
Natural User Interface for Enterprise Applications
Download this Complimentary White Paper! Provided by Workday.
Managing Mobility: Improve Data Security, Compliance and Manageability
Download This Resource Now!
Moving Beyond Monolithic - What's Next for Enterprise Application Architectures?
Download this Complimentary White Paper! Provided by Workday.
Consolidate Your Servers and Storage to Lower Costs with Oracle Database 11g
Register for this webcast!
