Siemens OpenScape product deserves a footnote to the IBM Sametime story. This PC desktop product, announced as a tight integration with Microsoft realtime services in early 2004 never got the market traction it deserved, like many innovations from companies with inadequate channels.
IBM, however, has licensed some of the technology to deliver the product functionality in the next set of Sametime features. Kudos to IBM to being open minded about working with IP developed by others, and good for Siemens for finding an unconventional outlet for their technology.
