We've been using IM, and while it can be used to waste time, it is also extremely handy. Much more real-time than email, but not as intrusive as a phone call.
Now, for which IM to use... 1. Use external, free IM such as MSN .Net Messenger or Yahoo. This has several advantages: free, easy to set up, automatically connects your users with business partners (provided they are using the same service). The disadvantages are: no logging, no control, conversations traverse the internet in plain text. There are third-party products that intercept the communication stream of these free services and give you logging and control, but they aint cheap. 2. Use IM that comes with Exchange 2000. Don't do this! This product is obsolete, and has been replaced with LCS (live communications server). If you have Exchange 2000 by way of one of MS's licensing programs, you are grandfathered in for LCS client licenses. 3. Use LCS. Works good (after you manage to wade through the crappy installation docs). You can control who gets IM, and you can log conversations (logging is either all or none, though). Logging also requires SQLServer. LCS runs only on server 2003. Additionally, if you plan on using a separate logging server, it must run server 2003 as well. The client software (Windows Messenger 5.0) can be configured to talk to MSN .Net Messenger Service as well (but external conversations are not logged). Windows Messenger also has extensive control via group policies (you can, for example control who gets external IM capability). There are third-party tools to connect LCS to external IM services, but they are a bit pricey, and, at least in the case of MSN, require you to pay a subscription fee for "enterprise" connectivity. 4. Jabber. Jabber is the open standard for IM and there are several servers and clients (free and commercial) that speak the Jabber protocol. One thing that trips most people up when starting with IM: Windows Messenger and MSN .Net Messenger are NOT different versions of the same thing. They are two separate animals. MSN Messenger cannot talk to any service other than MSN. Windows Messenger can talk to Exchange 2000, LCS, and MSN. MSN Messenger has more consumer-friendly features (fluff). MSN Messenger cannot be controlled via group policy. Windows Messenger has extensive group policy control features. The two CAN co-exist on Windows XP, but cannot on Windows 2K (unless you do some jiggery). -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Mark Nold Sent: Wednesday, January 21, 2004 7:12 PM To: Exchange Discussions Subject: Viewpoints of IM My CEO wants us to install the IM that "comes with" Ex2k. I really don't want to have our users have access to this as I see it as a potential waste of time. Of course that's my opinion. And why I turn to those that know more than I. I've offered him the thoughts I have on it: 1) no way to backup/restore IM, 2) creates an "easy" place to have our corp. policies broken (slander, gossip, sharing porn sites, etc) 3)no way to track who said what and when 4) waste of time (OK that's not technical, but still....) His come back? "But I read its easy to install and configure and takes no bandwidth". Can this list offer me any other sane reasons not to implement this (or if you have a good reason to then let me know that too :) Thanks Mark Nold _________________________________________________________________ List posting FAQ: http://www.swinc.com/resource/exch_faq.htm Web Interface: http://intm-dl.sparklist.com/cgi-bin/lyris.pl?enter=exchange&text_mode=&; lang=english To unsubscribe: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Exchange List admin: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe via postal mail, please contact us at: Jupitermedia Corp. Attn: Discussion List Management 475 Park Avenue South New York, NY 10016 Please include the email address which you have been contacted with. _________________________________________________________________ List posting FAQ: http://www.swinc.com/resource/exch_faq.htm Web Interface: http://intm-dl.sparklist.com/cgi-bin/lyris.pl?enter=exchange&text_mode=&lang=english To unsubscribe: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Exchange List admin: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe via postal mail, please contact us at: Jupitermedia Corp. Attn: Discussion List Management 475 Park Avenue South New York, NY 10016 Please include the email address which you have been contacted with.
