Radnet debuts low-cost,Web-based groupware

Targeting users who want a less expensive, easier-to-use alternative to Lotus Development Corp.'s Notes, Radnet Inc. has introduced WebShare, a groupware product based on World Wide Web technology.

"If people within your organ-ization already have a network, then anyone with a standard Web browser" can use WebShare, said Reed Sturtevant, vice president of marketing and sales at the Cambridge, Mass., company. "This takes advantage of infrastructure that has already been installed, such as the networked TCP/IP infrastructure and Web browsers."

Radnet is selling WebShare directly to federal customers. Company officials said the product would have applicability for agencies that must work together on projects.

In addition to positioning WebShare as a less expensive and more easily implemented version of Lotus Notes, Radnet is also positioning WebShare as a more robust version of Netscape Communications Corp.'s Collabra Share groupware product.

WebShare, which is server-based, requires a machine running Microsoft Corp.'s Windows NT Version 3.51. The WebShare Server groupware provides views of information, fields, forms, scripts and user permissions. Users access WebShare using a standard Web browser.

Users can create the groupware apps using WebShare Starter and then use another product, WebShare Designer, to customize the applications.

Radnet was founded by former Lotus employees and is in Cambridge near Lotus.

The cost of the WebShare Server is $1,495. The WebShare Designer license is $695. For more information, call Radnet at (617) 577-9422.