IBM, Canonical and Simmtronics have launched the Simmtronics netbook, the Simmbook, which comes preloaded with IBM Client for Smart Work that includes IBM Lotus Symphony, access to IBM LotusLive cloud collaboration services, and choice of adding other IBM Lotus collaboration software like Lotus Notes and Lotus Sametime.
IBM said that the Lotus Symphony has a full suite of applications for creating documents, spreadsheets and presentations. LotusLive provides integrated, cloud-based email, web conferencing, instant messaging, file sharing, relationship management and project tracking; while Lotus Notes/Domino provides email and collaboration capabilities.
IBM and Simmtronics work together to provide low cost computing in emerging markets around the world. In addition to African countries, the Simmbook will also be available in India, Thailand and Vietnam.
The new Simmbook enables users to gain access to the cloud, including IBM LotusLive collaboration services, without needing any additional customisation. It serves as an access point to cloud and provides the standard features with Windows and Office-based systems, the company said.
Clifford Foster, CTO of IBM sub-Saharan, said: “As Africa makes economic strides during a time when new technologies like cloud computing are emerging, the Simmbook netbook with LotusLive, Lotus Symphony, Lotus Notes and Ubuntu Linux provides businesses with a complete solution at an affordable price.
“CIO’s, IT directors and IT architects from all type of organizations in South Africa – even those that typically cannot afford new, expensive personal computers – can now legitimately consider netbooks instead of PCs for business use.
The Simmbook is available to emerging markets at a price of $190.
