ClearIM is a new XMPP-based instant messaging service.

January 20, 2009: Sydney based messaging SaaS provider Cleartext has launched a new XMPP-based instant messaging service called ClearIM.

The service connects to the federated Extensible Messaging and Presence Protocol (XMPP) network, for example GTalk and the upcoming Facebook chat, public IM services like MSN and AIM and micro-blogging services like Twitter and identi.ca.

Based on XMPP the new service is tapping into a growing demand for standards based instant and micro messaging in the small to medium business market across all sectors. The initial offering mirrors a hosted email service with security (SSL), use of your own domain and cloud based archiving.

"Cleartext is expanding its SaaS platform with an eye to the future and the inevitable move towards business use of social network based messaging and micro-blogging over XMPP." said David Banes, Managing Director of Cleartext.

ClearIM is available as a beta test platform now. The company is encouraging people to sign up as early adopters to benefit from discounts to additions to the service as XMPP enabled platforms becomes popular during 2009-2010 and businesses start to consume XMPP feeds via cloud based services.

"Cleartext is well placed to deliver cloud based XMPP services through its depth of knowledge in messaging hosting and security and XMPP experience through prior relationships with Jabber Inc and Jive Software, both leading XMPP vendors of enterprise based solutions".

First established in 1999 to develop secure IM solutions Cleartext moved into managed services in 2005. ClearEmail a professional email hosting service was launched in 2006 and ClearEmail MX Managed Email Security in 2007. The company launched ClearEmail EDM in February 2008 and has just launched ClearIM.

David Banes is a member of the board of the IIA (Internet Industry Association) and the XSF (XMPP Standards Foundation).