IBM adds more social tools to Lotus Connections

Lotus Connections now works on iPhone and Nokia S60 handsets

IBM has beefed up its Lotus Connections enterprise collaboration tool.

The company has added new features, including micro-blogging and the ability to post and share files online.

IBM launched the Connections application with the intention of creating a social networking platform for use within the enterprise. The collaboration application includes common social networking features such as wiki pages, blogs, contact lists and message boards.

Among other new features will be the ability to edit widget items on the user's personal page as well as posting messages directly to individual profile pages. The update will also add support for iPhone and Nokia S60 handsets.

The company hopes that the features will enable enterprise users to connect and interact in ways that closely resemble those offered by popular consumer social networking services.

"With Lotus Connections, we have merged document sharing and social networking capabilities to create a comprehensive collaboration platform for businesses," said Jeff Schick, IBM's vice president of social software.

"Today's announcement showcases how IBM is delivering easy access to a company's two most valuable assets, people and information."