Intel targets businesses with Web 2.0 bundle

Intel is to put its marketing weight behind an integrated suite of Web 2.0 applications written by a range of independent software vendors.

The application suite, called SuiteTwo, will give corporates the power to create blogs, RSS feeds, search tools and wikis using one bundled software package. Corporate users will be able to access the tools with a single sign-on and one user interface.

Currently, many businesses use these tools but they are often used informally and with individual products.

Intel has teamed up with four Web 2.0 companies: Wiki specialist SocialText, RSS aggregator NewsGator, RSS specialist SimpleFeed and Six Apart of the enterprise blogging tool MovableType to produce SuiteTwo.

The integration of the applications has been carried out by open-source application company SpikeSource.

"This is a unique opportunity to actively create an effective software suite that delivers heightened capabilities to the enterprise ecosystem," said Arvind Sodhani, president of Intel Capital, the division of the chip manufacturer which is backing the project.

SuiteTwo runs on Red Hat Enterprise Linux, SuSE Enterprise Server and Windows.

Future versions of SuiteTwo will offer the ability to podcast and network with other users, explained Joaquin Ruiz, vice-president for marketing and product management at SpikeSource. Pricing is yet to be revealed.

Intel will sell SuiteTwo through its manufacturer and reseller sales channels. NEC, which already distributes SpikeSource's products, is also thought to be interested in distribution.

Other global software vendors are trying to capitalise on the new-found corporate enthusiasm for Web 2.0 technologies. Oracle last month unveiled a new component to its Fusion middleware software, which will allow users to develop their own Web 2.0 applications. Nokia has launched Widsets — a mobile-phone dashboard which allows users to assemble their favourite content, blogs and RSS all in one place.

Further information about SuiteTwo can be seen on the SuiteTwo website.