What to look for in an instant messaging package
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IM for business:
Introduction Next-generation IM Putting IM to work IM still not secure 1. SCIM Enterprise Server 2. Lotus Sametime 3. Microsoft Exchange Comparison Sample scenario About RMIT Labs |
- Client Platform Support
- Server Platform Support
- Directory Support
- Interoperability with Public IM systems
- Server based Logging
Sample Scenario
Company: Mondego Consulting
Scenario: This company’s staff is currently using a non-secure consumer instant messaging service, and the company wants to provide a secure alternative it can manage internally.
Approximate budget: Open.
Requires: An instant messaging server platform.
Concerns: Staffers use IM to keep in touch with branch offices, so security is a big concern. Management hassles and time are also a worry, so the system must be able to integrate easily with the company’s directory server.
Best Solution: Mondego’s best solution would depend heavily on their needs and current infrastructure. If you need a relatively simple but secure system with a variety of client OSes, SCIM works quite effectively, but if you are already an Exchange or Notes, user, there is little point in setting up new infrastructure to handle instant messaging. All systems were quite complicated enterprise-level applications, and not designed to be installed by the faint of heart, but in terms of user friendliness, all the clients were quite good (though the increased functionality of MSN messenger meant there are many options available that may confuse).
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Jabber is a good solution. Not only is it an open standard, however, you can find many open source and even commercial solutions.
See: http://www.jabber.org.au/