At the Lotusphere show in Orlando yesterday, BlackBerry-maker Research In Motion demonstrated several new software and services compatible with IBM Lotus Samtime's IM and collaboration package, and with Lotus Domino as well.

These are Convert to Call, Click to Map and Domino Discussion and Databases.

I know you won't want to start your day without knowing the basics of each, so come along now, would'ya?

Convert To Call- This new functionality allows users engaged in an instant messaging group chat to instantly convert their text-based discussion into a multi-party conference call, which is initiated and managed through the enterprise PBX or a conference server. "Convert to Call" works through the BlackBerry Enterprise Server to seamlessly collect the presence information of each user from Lotus Sametime, then invokes the enterprise PBX or conference server to initiate outbound calls to each user, pulling them together into a voice conference. When the conference call ends, the users are automatically returned back to their group chat session exactly where they left off. Users benefit from the convenience and efficiency of the automated process and enterprises can achieve significant economic and administrative benefits from the least cost routing and centralized management.

Click To Map- This feature will allow users to generate maps on a BlackBerry handset within the context of a Lotus Sametime session. The "Click to Map" feature will launch BlackBerry Maps from within the Sametime client software and generate a map that illustrates a colleague's location based on presence information retrieved from Lotus Sametime.

Domino Discussion Databases- RIM has developed a set of optimized BlackBerry interface templates with design elements to improve the usability for mobile workers. In addition, RIM provides a WSDL (Web Services Description Language) enabling the mobilization of standard Lotus Domino Discussion databases using the BlackBerry MDS Studio rapid development tool. With BlackBerry® MDS Studio, the interface design elements can be visually dragged into position to create an optimal user interface on a BlackBerry handset.