Corporate IM Communication

**Modulok** · Posted: Tue, 08 Aug 2006 16:53:10 Post Subject: Corporate IM Communication

I am currently looking at MS Live Communication Server 2005 for my work. I installed it on a test domain with two other client pcs to test the functionality of the software. It looks nice and has plenty of features, half of which we won't use.

Some features are Active Directory Integrated/Controlled, will handle instant messaging and phone calls, integrates with Office, web cam-like meetings, remote desktop-like sharing between clients, whiteboard (shared mspaint document), conectivity with public IM services, plus more I am forgetting!

For the standard edition it's about $780 for the server and about $30 per user license. However to add public IM services there is a separate license fee that is based per user/per month. (they say it's average of $1-$2 per user/per month)

So what I am asking if anyone here has any IM software at work besides just a public IM program that they are probably using without IT knowing about. ;-)

martz · Rated R Joined: 31 Jul 2006 Posts: 54

this might be of use to you .... i went looking for Jabber, which i set up once, but this page seems to have loads of servers :

http://www.jabber.org/software/servers.shtml

why do you need corporate IM anyway ? dont your users just pollute the s**t out of your exchange server like mine do ? Rolling Eyes

i seem to be doing offline defrags almost on a weekly basis!

BeerCheeze · Posted: Tue, 08 Aug 2006 17:23:05 Post Subject:

I think we use the MS server at work too... I dunno I don't use it. F' them. They want to get a hold of me, call me or e-mail me.

**Modulok** · Posted: Tue, 08 Aug 2006 17:30:30 Post Subject:

I would say 10% use a public IM service now at work here. Not all work related though...our support person for our ERP system is one of the external AIM contacts.

We have people wasting time with leaving a call me back voicemail or even worse: an email saying call me. Such a waste of time and also plugging up their email box (finally got everyone under a 600MB policy except two users-who are email whores)

The MS Live Comm is pretty nice that it integrates with all other MS stuff. Like you can see when a contact has a meeting (it will query their exchange calendar)

Take a look at One of these three demos if you are wondering what its like.

martz · Rated R Joined: 31 Jul 2006 Posts: 54

damn that reminds me .... i must turn my OOO notification off .... i'm sure my users are getting tired of :

Thank you for your mail. Presently i couldn't give less of a fu.. about your problems, but i may some time around april when my pay rise is due. Please attempt to grow a brain, a spine, and stop trying to speak to me when i walk past you with my breakfast / lunch - i DONT care, and i DO like to cause injury.

sorry .... i'm in a OT kind of mood. Rolling Eyes

Hellfire · Rated XXX Joined: 05 Aug 2003 Posts: 3473

We use AIM at my work....only internal use, can't use it for IM outside the company. They've blocked it Razz

**Modulok** · Posted: Tue, 08 Aug 2006 18:10:35 Post Subject:

T-shirt · Posted: Tue, 08 Aug 2006 18:18:03 Post Subject:

There is a corprate version of AIM available now that's pretty tight.
but I do agree, if it's urgent use the phone, needs attention soon email. IM usually turns into a big time wasting distraction, which costs more that it gains (and alot more then the up front seat license,server and tech support) Add outside access and the cost probably triples, not including the monthly fees, more tech support, and additonal securty costs/threats.

**Doctor Feelgood** · Posted: Tue, 08 Aug 2006 18:32:22 Post Subject:

We used the MS thing last place I worked... The fun part was to find a co-worker's computer unprotected and to send highly inappropriate messages to anyone else in the company... Laughing

martz · Rated R Joined: 31 Jul 2006 Posts: 54