Instant messaging world

From time to time I write about some tools we use here at VR to keep the business running. Today it's going to be about Instant Messaging. We use instant messaging here a LOT since we're on different floors and very spread out. Maybe too much. But it can be a really useful tool and very cost-effective since for the most part it's free. It stops our one-on-one email traffic and if we need to move quickly on something it's easy to do. But to most positives there are negatives to be aware of too. Here are a few that we've run into. Positives * It's great if you're in multiple locations and you need a cost effective way to communicate. * It saves us money on long distance. * You chat with someone while on a conference call to steer the conversation. * It's great if you can't leave your desk and need a quick answer to a question. * It saves you on foot traffic if you've got a long way to walk for a quick discussion. * Stops the...

Soft Security* newly released IMCrypto. What it does - IMCrypto protects your instant messenger conversations. It’s compatible with all of the popular instant messengers (IMs). IMCrypto uses one of the strongest and most reliable public key encryption algorithms ? RSA. Easy to Use - Just install the program and you’re ready to start secure conversations with anyone on your contact list. All incoming and outgoing messages will be encrypted and only the addressee will be able to read them. Features * The IMCrypto Toolbar makes it easy to access all the necessary functions in just one click * With the IMCrypto Control Center you can access additional options and settings * The IMCrypto KeyServer which will give you an opportunity to exchange keys with all your contacts easily and quickly Bottom Line: IMCrypto is easy-to-use and offers reliable protection for all your instant messenger conversations and keeps your confidential information secret. It’s affordable at $29.95 for 1...

Q: How do I ban MSN Messenger, Yahoo Messenger, Skype and other chat programs on an enterprise LAN? My network connects to the Internet through a hub, and from the hub it connects a wireless router/modem to the Internet. I've tried blocking URLs and outgoing ports, but to no avail. I can't install any blocking software because I don't have a server in between the router and the network PCs. A: As you have discovered already, imposing controls on the use of Instant Messaging (IM) within an enterprise network is not easy, but let's review your options, starting with some non-technical aspects. The first step for an enterprise that wants to keep its network free of MSN Messenger, Yahoo Messenger, Skype and other programs of that kind must be to establish an information security policy that outlaws them. Make sure all employees are aware of the policy and the penalties for violating it. In this phase, try to present the logic for the ban: the fact that IM is a serious attac...

A sufficiently strong business case for enterprise instant messaging has yet to be made We have just wrapped up a major study of the instant messaging, real-time communications and presence market. The goal of this study is to understand how real-time communications technologies, such as instant messaging and Web conferencing, are used by midsized and North American organizations. We asked organizations that have not deployed enterprise instant messaging as a pilot or in production why they have not done so. The most commonly cited reason is that no one has yet made a sufficiently strong business case for enterprise instant messaging – nearly one-half of decision makers indicated this as a reason for not yet deploying the technology. Another important reason for not deploying enterprise instant messaging is that about 30% of decision makers feel that consumer instant messaging clients – which are used in the vast majority of organizations – meet organizational requirements for real-tim...

15 July 2008: RealVNC has launched the latest version of its enterprise level VNC, Virtual Network Computing, solution for remote desktop control. VNC Enterprise Version 4.4 is designed to make it even easier for a user on one computer to take full control of another, regardless of platform, operating system or location. For example, mobile devices can be used to mange a remote PC from the other side of the world or local Unix applications delivered to Windows or Mac users. Designed and built by the original inventors of virtual network computing, VNC Enterprise 4.4 provides ease of use across multiple platforms for even the most inexperienced, whilst retaining the configurability and functionality expected by expert users. Along with a simplified user interface, this new version delivers other features ranging from a chat function and address book for VNC server shortcuts to HTTP support to connect through web proxies and filters. VNC is already used by hundreds of millions of people...

New Jersey-based design firm implements C4 IP™ hosted VoIP and unified communications solution. Atlanta, GA (Vocus/PRWEB ) July 15, 2008 -- Cypress Communications welcomes New Jersey-based Tisha Industries to the Cypress family tree. Serving the tri-state area, Tisha Industries will connect, communicate, collaborate and continue™ with Cypress' C4 IP™ hosted VoIP and unified communications solution. "We were an early adopter of hosted VoIP technology; however, the service we received from our previous provider was unacceptable," said Christopher Kogler, chief operating officer at Tisha Industries. "But from the first meeting, I was impressed with Cypress Communications. The account executive came to do an on-site evaluation, and a Cypress engineer conducted a meticulous examination to understand our network requirements. The thoroughness of their evaluation immediately signaled that we were working with knowledgeable people who could design, configure and implement a ...

INTERNATIONAL. Swyx a market-leading vendor of unified communications for SMEs has announced the addition of business-class IM (Instant Messaging) capabilities to its IP communications solution SwyxWare, giving organisations a controlled and secure environment for real-time interaction between colleagues. Swyx’s Product Marketing Director Jayne Dimmick commented: “The introduction of IM as part of the central communications system means that organisations can give employees the advantages of using IM between colleagues, but without the dangers and lack of control posed by downloading and using third party packages.” “Many organisations have banned the use of IM because of the associated security risks and also because it has been abused by staff for non-business purposes. By bringing IM within a controlled business environment, organisations can safely re-introduce a tool that can substantially improve productivity, especially within organisations that are spread across different locat...