IM Software

rmg1

Hi all

I've been asked to try and find some sort of IM software for work.
The usual Skype and MSN are out because they would allow communication with the "outside world".

Basically, I need something that will do the following:-

• Instant messaging with filesharing
• Log all messages on a server
• Be usable by a select group (user-list on a server?)
• Send/receive to/from only those with the same software installed
• Be (preferably) free

A nice-to-have would be for it to be Blackberry compatible as well.

I've done some Googling but most of the packages I've found appear to be global which would be an automatic "No" from our IT dept.

Anyone any ideas?

boxst

We (a very large company) use Office Communicator with a private server. So it only works if connected to the VPN. It does allow access to the outside world but has good security.

Steve

victor2

What's wrong with email? It's pretty instant if you have your own server. All you have to do is train people to read their messages!

leseul

Not sure if this is the kind of thing you're looking for http://www.novell.com/products/groupwise/features/corporate-instant-messaging.html

rmg1

@boxst - We're on Office 2003 and I don't think it has that.
@victor2 - That'll be the day(!!)

USM

We also use Microsoft Office Communicator. You're unlikely to find anything free which cuts the mustard in this area - if your company is serious about enabling this type of communication in a secure way it will have to invest in it. If not, MSN, Yahoo, etc or sticking with e-mail is probably best.

googler

If your company is big enough to have an "IT Department" then shouldn't it be down to them to define the requirements, assess the available solutions, determine cost/benefit and oversee the installation and roll-out?

What's your role in this and in the company? I sincerely hope you're not a highly-paid 'communications consultant' hired by them....

rmg1

googler wrote: »

If your company is big enough to have an "IT Department" then shouldn't it be down to them to define the requirements, assess the available solutions, determine cost/benefit and oversee the installation and roll-out?

What's your role in this and in the company? I sincerely hope you're not a highly-paid 'communications consultant' hired by them....

I must admit I find the last sentence a little offensive.
I work in the MI department and I've been asked to look at ways to improve the sharing of code, etc for best practice. In order to do that, I need to assess the available solutions (which is why I mentioned free) before taking this any further.

leseul - Thanks for the link, I'll look into that. Think I've used something similar before from the screenshot.

bod1467

The latest incarnation of MS Communicator is called Lync.

rmg1

Does that come with Office 2003 or would need to upgrade to 2007?

GRM

rmg1 wrote: »

Does that come with Office 2003 or would need to upgrade to 2007?

Lync 2010 can operate independently from Office so you wouldn't have to upgrade. If you do want the integration (presence visibility in Outlook etc.) then you would need to upgrade to Office 2010.

My employer upgraded from OCS to Lync last week; I'm impressed so far.