IBM's application dubbed Sametime is a collaboration tool, which IBM hopes to use to push the limits of real-time collaboration technology, is out now in version 7.5. Microsoft is IBM largest collaboration competitor right now, whose real-time collaboration project is set to be out next year (SharePoint Server). IBM thinks that because they collaborate with open-source partners, they will innovate faster than Microsoft and beat them to market. For one thing IBM is behind the eight-ball here. Microsoft's collaboration suite is "trouncing" theirs, and the numbers show that Microsoft's product is gaining speed and volume. All Microsoft has to do is add real-time collaboration features to their product, and the 70 million + users will simply upgrade. Why would IBM think Microsoft's success will plummet? IBM's product is out early, but Microsoft's product is now well entrenched in enterprise. My bet is on the clear leader of the pack who pretty much pwns IBM in this market. Good luck IBM, you're going to need it.

[Via InformationWeek]