CC Data Software announced that version 2.5 of its e-MARC software would ship in the third quarter of 2002. e-MARC was the first product that met the email preservation needs of both the enterprise and the end user. Version 2.5 adds basic records management capabilities and is more easily scalable for organizations with multiple mail servers. e-MARC 2.5 includes a server-based archival solution for Microsoft Exchange, as well as the ability for individual Microsoft Outlook users to store and retrieve emails from a secure, centrally managed archive.

A new anti-spam service launched last week by Cloudmark is facing some problems. CNet reports that the software is supposed to cut back on 75 percent of incoming spam by quickly identifying junk mail and filtering it based on input from people using the network. The bug page calls out two main problems. One involves Windows NT 4, which may leave out some basic SpamNet tools during installation. The second involves connecting to the service past a corporate firewall. Cloudmark suggests that consumers who have trouble connecting ask their company’s system administrator to open the blocked port, or port 2703.

Courion updated its Account Courier product that gives enterprises the ability to create, access, and manage identity information for a wide variety of corporate applications. Internet Week reports that Version 2 includes a number of enhancements. Among them is a user modeling feature that allows provisioning of a user account by simply cloning the information on another user with a similar job function.

Chapura announced its new handheld software program that gives Microsoft Outlook users a way to manage virtually all of their detailed contact information through their Palm Powered handheld. An alternative for the Palm OS Address Book application, KeyContacts gives Palm Powered handheld users access to important Outlook fields, categories and folders. Outlook customers using KeyContacts instead of the Palm OS Address Book application will be able to synchronize 40 additional Contacts fields, including all phone numbers, all addresses, full name, job title, assistant’s name, birthday, anniversary, spouse and children’s names, and more. KeyContacts also supports over 250 categories, significantly more than the number of standard categories in the Palm OS.

AddressGrabber, from eGrabber Inc., is cited as one of the Top 10 important accessories for Microsoft Outlook in "Outlook 2002 for Dummies" by Bill Dyszel. AddressGrabber enables users to automatically enter names and addresses into Outlook from email, Web pages, Word documents and Web forms. AddressGrabber Standard is available for a free 15-day trial and can be purchased for $69.95.

Cloudmark is coming out with its new spam-stopping technology: SpamNet. GeekNews reports that SpamNet will rely on ordinary Internet surfers determining which messages constitute spam. The SpamNet software operates as a free plug-in to Microsoft Outlook, the only email client it currently supports. It appears as an additional folder set aside for spam at the left, with a toolbar for reporting or revoking spam decisions. When a user receives an email message which he or she identifies as spam, the user clicks on the report button. The software then assigns a signature to the message, deepening the database of signatures for filtering spam.

Information Week reports that Resumix released Web-based software that helps hiring managers and recruiters collaborate by automating tasks. This is the first product delivered by the former division of HotJobs since Yahoo acquired the Internet job board in February. Recruiters can use Hiring Manager Web, which has been added to Resumix’s existing recruiting software suite, to leverage a company’s existing Microsoft Exchange email and calendar to notify hiring managers about new job candidates or to schedule interviews.

Fonix Corporation announced today the release of iSpeak for Pocket PC, a Text-To-Speech (TTS) application for Pocket PC devices that reads any text file aloud in a natural-sounding male or female voice. iSpeak for Pocket PC increases the productivity of Pocket PC handheld device users, giving them the option of listening to email, text documents, speeches, and presentations while on the go.

Tacit Knowledge Systems announced the newest release of its Tacit ESP software platform. New features in Tacit ESP 4.0 include support for both Microsoft and Oracle databases, multi-language profiling and search, expanded XML integration APIs, and a new document link and search capability. Document link and search allows tighter integration with content management systems and information repositories.

CodeWeavers unveiled CrossOver Office Version 1.1, the newest version of its software solution that allows Linux users to operate Microsoft Office and Lotus Notes on their PCs without requiring a license for the Windows operating system. With Version 1.1, CodeWeavers is officially supporting both Microsoft Outlook and Internet Explorer, in addition to the already-supported Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint, and IBM Lotus Notes.