LinkedIn connects with Lotus Notes

IBM and LinkedIn have teamed up to produce a LinkedIn plug-in that enables users to to access LinkedIn information directly in their Lotus Notes email client. This will be a huge productivity gain for Notes users because they no longer have to open a browser window and open LinkedIn to access their networks. Instead, they get direct access to their professional networks in a familiar work environment.

“Finding, connecting and collaborating with people and information you can trust is essential to working smarter and maximizing productivity in the workplace,” said Bob Picciano, general manager of Lotus Software at IBM. “The Lotus partnership with LinkedIn will allow us to collectively provide direct, easy and fast access to both the information and the collaborative services people need to drive better business outcomes.”

Teaming up with IBM isn't too shabby, and in fact, this is a big step for LinkedIn because it means they have gained acceptance as a trusted web-based tool. Users now need access to LinkedIn information to do their work and these tools provide one way to do that. I expect this could lead to additional partnerships as LinkedIn gains an increasing foothold in the enterprise.

For more information, see:
- LinkedIn press release [1]
- TechCrunch post [2]

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