IBM Unveils Sametime 3D

[Jeff]

IBM must really love Second Life and the various imitators (Lively, anyone?). They just announced their Sametime 3D project that links their enterprise instant messaging system with 3D chat environments.

"When we spend time with customers and businesses and enterprises, they’ve told us that virtual worlds are really of interest to them for the purpose of collaborating, communicating, and interacting with content, discussions, and services," said Boas Betzler, 3D Internet & Virtual World Technical Lead, IBM Research. "So what we focused on is integration with some of the capabilities for communication and collaboration that enterprises use today with this 3D virtual world and immersive environment."

"Just imagine for a while that two employees are talking about a product or a machine or topic and they talk through text chat [on Sametime] and say, 'there’s this product or technology and I have a couple of questions and can you help me out,'" explains Betzler. "And then one of them says, 'Wouldn’t it be easier if we looked at the product in a 3D environment and I could point out a couple of things?'”

Personally, I don't get it. I'm no Luddite, but when I want to see someone, I use videoconferencing (or better yet, visit in person!). A virtual 3D environment rarely adds value to the experience, and often just gets in the way. Virtual meetings with screen sharing, voice, etc. are difficult enough to setup without further complicating it with more technology.

Secondly, I don't believe that many corporations are really clamoring for hooks into Second Life. Who are these companies? I want names!

Finally, while I'll concede that looking at a virtual product sounds at least somewhat useful, most companies have other ways of doing this already (rapid prototyping, video, images, etc.). Imagine the process of having to import my solids model from a CAD application into Second Life, just so I might be able to share it with a co-worker, if they have all the necessary software and know how to navigate a 3D world. Uh-huh. Yeah. Sure.

Weigh in. Are immersive 3D environments a boon to business, or just a boondoggle?

IBM Emergence of the 3-D Internet

[Gandalf]

There could be a use for this in a business environment. I've read that IBM has held conferences in Second Life, although I'm not sure how that helps vs. just using WebEx or something similar.

I tried to look for a link to IBM's site discussing this and when it might be available, but couldn't find anything. Maybe it's virtual software?

[David]

I've spent some time around IBM's web2.0 offerings, and work-in-progresses, and I can say that they still don't seem to "get it." They're trying to redefine themselves as an agile and innovative company, and it just isn't working.