Instant-messaging gateway and security vendor Akonix next month is set to release tools to help corporate customers integrate presence information into their enterprise applications.
Instant-messaging gateway and security vendor Akonix next month is set to release tools to help corporate customers integrate presence information into their enterprise applications.
With L7 Builder, Akonix will provide a set of APIs that developers can use to build applications that use presence information for communication or routing purposes, and a server for deploying those applications. L7 Builder also will let users retrofit existing applications, such as CRM and ERP, with presence information for use in enhancing communication or accessing data via IM.
Akonix rival IMlogic released a similar set of tools earlier this year called IM Linkage, which lets developers and independent software vendors (ISV) incorporate presence into Java 2 Platform Enterprise Edition, .Net and Web services applications.
L7 Builder provides the same capabilities and works with the major public IM services – AOL, Yahoo and MSN – with servers based on the standard Extensible Messaging and Presence Protocol and with corporate offerings from Microsoft and IBM/Lotus. IM Linkage also works with those services.
“These vendors are servicing two markets, one is the bleeding-edge companies that recognize that presence does have value,” says Melanie Turek, an analyst with Nemertes Research. “These are companies that are saying ‘let’s embed this in other critical business applications that we use.’ “
L7 Builder includes a set of APIs and sample applications in L7 Builder to support the use of presence data in workflow applications and directory services, in “bots” that use IM for data queries, in alert and notification services that distribute information in real time, and for routing and transfer functions in applications such as help desk and customer service.
Akonix also has incorporated natural language technology acquired in its purchase of vendor Natural Messaging earlier this year. The technology lets users build in a “listening” component to presence-enabled applications that retrieves data based on words and phrases, such as product names, used within an IM exchange.
“We are not creating an IM infrastructure, we are just providing the tools that let companies more fully use their infrastructure,” says Francis Costello, the chief marketing officer for Akonix.
L7 Builder is in beta testing and is expected to ship in January. Pricing has not been announced.
