Instant Messaging (or IM) is the ability to easily see whether
those in your "buddy list" are connected to the internet and, if
so, to exchange messages with them. It's faster than e-mail, and
less intrusive than a phone call.
But it entails some risks, particularly for businesses, where
plain-vanilla IM is seen as providing an unsecured opening to the
internet for virus infection, the leaking of confidential
information and liability for defamation.
Microsoft, AOL and Yahoo! all offer corporate IM packages, with
appropriate security additions, including means of recording the
messages; but the lack of interoperability has hindered their
success. Accordingly, the agreement now reached among the three
biggest players may breathe new life into enterprise IM.
