IBM, Canonical have launched a new personal computing software package for netbooks and other thin client devices to help businesses in Africa bridge the digital divide.
According to IBM, the new package includes email, word processing, spreadsheets, unified communication, social networking and other software for any laptop, netbook, or a variety of mobile devices. It runs on Canonical’s Ubuntu Linux operating system, and provides the option to deliver collaboration through the web in a cloud service model.
Bob Picciano, general manager of IBM Lotus Software, said: “Businesses in emerging markets are looking to gain the freedom and flexibility afforded by open standards. The IBM Client for Smart Work builds on the movement toward open standards and web-based personal computing by giving people the power to work smarter, regardless of device.”
IBM said that a network of local service providers such as Inkululeko and ZSL is expected to extend the new package locally throughout Africa to government, educational institutions and businesses.
In addition to local service providers, IBM will also work with universities such as Makerere university and academic consortiums to bring new computing model down to individuals in the employment or attendance of learning institutions.
The standard package of collaboration software from IBM that works on Ubuntu includes Lotus Notes or iNotes (Lotus Notes delivered as a web-based service), Lotus Symphony, Lotus Sametime and LotusLive components. This package can be modified to also include WebSphere Portal intranet software, Lotus Connections for on-premise social networking, and Lotus Quickr for file and repository management, the company said.
Mark Shuttleworth, founder of Canonical, said: “Starting with Africa, we see that this smart client package can help realize our vision of eliminating barriers to computer access for emerging markets. Our IBM partnership brings together the strengths of collaboration to help our customers work smarter using this new approach.”