IBM adds collaboration tools to SmartCloud

IBM has launched a new set of services aimed at improving customers' ability to collaborate on projects.

The company said that its SmartCloud Docs service would allow customers to connect with users both inside their organisation and third parties to view and edit shared documents.

IBM is planning to include the SmartCloud Docs service with its SmartCloud For Social Business portfolio. The service will allow users to share word processing files as well as spreadsheets and presentation files.

The company hopes that the service will improve its enterprise social platform by allowing users to easily share files and connect on projects in real time.

"As the mobile workforce moves beyond gaining access to email and calendars to collaborate and generate new ideas and be more efficient anytime, anywhere, on any device, the intersection of social, mobile, and cloud becomes even more critical," said IBM social business general manager Alistair Rennie.

"Social and mobile are driving business transformation, helping all aspects of an organisation from marketing, human resources, sales and customer support and development leverage social concepts in their business processes."

IBM said that the SmartCloud Docs service will be offered for free in the SmartCloud Engaged Advanced package and will be available as a paid addition to the IBM Connections and SmartCloud Engage Standard services.

The company also rolled out updates to its IBM Connections platform. The updated service will allow users to collaborate on blogs and wikis as well as offer an improved meeting platform and expanded support for mobile devices.