Anticlue

Instant Messenger and the Enterprise

Instant Messaging is a wonderful thing. It provides new level of communication to business, and it is a very useful tool. I'm on the phone with someone, and if I don't know the answer to their question. I can instantly instant message five people who may. I need to have a quick conversation between 3 or 4 people, and it is only an IM chat room away.

IM does have its downfalls some people abuse the tool. You always have to be aware that it is not a connection-oriented method of communication like talking with the person. You lose the body language of a conversation, and sometime sarcastic remarks need to be explained and justified. As always be aware of your audience.

However, I have always been concerned in using commercial products like AOL, MS messenger, and ICQ. If the information we are communicating is for the business, why are we using a public Internet method to do so? I've mentioned building one in house, having the ability to archive conversations, and keeping secure information secure. In addition an in-house solution would prevent exposure when worms are created for IM. However, this did not hit high on the list of items, and there are other priorities.

But good news has arrived! Novell has created an instant messaging tool for the enterprise. Techrepublic has done a positive review.