Lotus Development Corp has seen fit to take a slice of the multimedia limelight for itself, and has a new strategy in place which this year should see the release of a bunch of Windows-based multimedia products for its business personal computer users, including Multimedia SmartHelp for 1-2-3 for Windows. Tim Davenport, vice-president of graphics and multimedia at Lotus, reckons there is a need for multimedia-enhanced business software, if only because it will theoretically make its products easier to use. The firm plans to integrate multimedia software capabilities into its core Windows-based products, each package enhanced in a way that makes it simpler and more natural to use. Initially, multimedia files will appear in Lotus applications as annotation, housed in container applications. These container applications will appear and function consistently across applications, and will enable users to link, embed or attach messages to files as needed. Lotus says it will enhance its CD/Networker network server software and compact disk-delivered application to enable network delivery of multimedia data types across organisations and time zones. But, while networked multimedia data types might initially be limited to learning and annotation capabilities, the company notes, advances in software-only delivery of compressed video, and advances in hardware on networks, will eventually enable delivery of all media types. Lotus also plans to design multimedia products to help deliver just-in-time learning, where learning aids will be available to the users with work in progress.
