The Lotus Sametime Standard package is a full-featured suite of programs from Lotus as an alternative to Microsoft proprietary packages like MS Outlook. Lotus also offers a more basic package: Lotus Sametime Entry. The difference between the two? Lotus Sametime Standard includes more features like rich text, voice and video chat, screen capture, file transfer, and location awareness. With Lotus Sametime Standard, you can also use more of the popular add-ons for webinars and other online communication.

If you're looking to take advantage of the full Lotus Sametime Standard product, you can find what you need online, from vendors helping business clients ramp up for enhanced communications in-house. Business buyers might look for Lotus Sametime Standard:

1. As a prime choice for replacing Microsoft or other products that the manager feels are limiting compatibility across the office IT system, where Lotus Sametime Standard products let users chat from a different platform.

2. As part of setting up a brand new office where a buyer wants great tools for letting staffers talk across the web.

3. As part of a routine upgrade, where a buyer is convinced Lotus has the right tools for the future of a business.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Go directly to the source for Lotus Sametime Standard

IBM, purveyor of the Lotus Sametime Standard suite, sells the software through contacts on their website. All of the information you need to pursue getting these Lotus products is on the pages of the dedicated site for distributing the software to clients.

I recommend: Act now to get a free trial version of Lotus Sametime Standard from IBM to evaluate the utility of this product. After you evaluate the product, buy the full version of Lotus Sametime Standard from the IBM website.

Get limited license sales of Lotus Sametime Standard for sale through online vendors

Lotus Sametime Standard providers online generally play with different aspects of the sale, including how many users will be able to take advantage of the software, and for how long. From trials to full licensing, many of these vendors offer specific packages.

I recommend: Riverton Studios will get you a one year license per 1 user, with 1 year software maintenance contract, for competitive prices. Or, get multi-user packages through Bottom Line Telecommunications, subject to licensing limitations by IBM.

Get support for Lotus Sametime Standard purchases

When you have a trial, 1 year or full license Lotus Sametime Standard on site, you might want a little help from those who know about the functionality of the product. In addition to what IBM offers, you can get other resources from online Lotus Sametime Standard vendor shops.

I recommend: The Lotus Sametime Standard website at Tutorialized can help you troubleshoot Lotus Sametime Standard in-house. When you need consulting on the Lotus Sametime Standard product suite, Grey Duck can help: the company offers Lotus consulting to business clients on a routine basis.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  When buying your Lotus Sametime Standard software, keep in mind what your specific needs are, including the size of your network and how long you'll want to be tied to a specific software. Then plan your purchase accordingly.