NEC announced today that it is working with IBM to deliver unified communication and collaboration capabilities to businesses around the world.

NEC will integrate its UNIVERGE IP communication servers with the IBM Lotus Sametime 8.0 collaboration platform, the popular instant messaging software for enterprise customers.

With NEC's UNIVERGE gateway module for IBM Lotus Sametime, companies using NEC's UNIVERGE communication servers will be able to view online presence information, and leverage click-to-call services from within a Lotus Sametime instant messaging chat, Web conference or IBM Lotus Notes email inbox.

This new integration uses the open Eclipse-based Lotus Sametime platform and the Lotus Sametime Telephony Conferencing Service Provider Interface (TCSPI) to support the convergence of voice and data. Businesses can gain click-to-call access by implementing NEC's newly developed TCSPI interface plug-in software in the UNIVERGE gateway module for Lotus software. Implementation of NEC's plug-in is made simple by the extensible framework of Lotus Sametime and its efficient operation through a centralized server.

In February 2008, NEC Australia plans to deliver its first beta release of the UNIVERGE gateway module for IBM Lotus Sametime to an IBM Australia customer.

NEC's UNIVERGE gateway for IBM Lotus Sametime will be exhibited at Booth #825, IBM Lotusphere 2008, January 20 ? 24, 2008, Orlando, Florida, USA.

NEC's UNIVERGE gateway module for IBM Lotus Sametime will be available in the US, Europe, Japan, and Australia in early April, 2008.