Do you need to expand your aging network? Maybe a complete redesign is a better long term answer. It's time to consider replacing PC's with laptops and a wireless infrastructure.
| Communications - VOIP - Intra Office IM |
|
Ever get tired of calling across the room or picking up the telephone to call someone in the next office? Intra office Instant Messaging (IM) comes to the rescue.
Of the commercial software, a few of the choices are the aforementioned MS Live Communications Server, Softros Lan Messenger and Outlook Lan Messenger from Srimax Software. There are many more choices so check around. With Softros and Srimax programs there is no server so the total cost is for the CALs, around $10 per user. Most of the IM programs come with similiar feature sets, such as;
Microsofts Live Communications Server does come with more features than the other software mentioned here, but the cost puts it out of reach for the smaller companies. If you can afford the various licenses, you will get a complete messaging platform to built your business communications on. If all of this messaging jargon confuses you then good! You'll have to call Ethernetworks to straighten it out. |
If you're running MS Exchange 2000, then you already have IM built in. Post Exchange 2000 the IM feature has been moved to Live Communications Server. But if you need access to all of Live Servers capabilities you'll need Exchange Server also. If you're not inclined to pay for server licenses plus client access licenses (
On the open source side, some of the choices are Jabbers Jive Messenger, Pidgin (formerly Gaim) and R2's Tonic. Of these three, only Tonic doesn't require you to install a server. With Tonic you get the convenience and usability of IM without the distraction of social messaging over the internet and without the added strain of managing another server. If it sounds like we prefer Tonic, you're right. We're trying it out. We'll let you know how it works out in a future Product Review.
Dennis is the Graphic Artist of group. He does original watercolors, home portraits, prints and many other graphic projects and has been doing so for his entire adult life. My favorite work of his is a poster he did for a New York Tugboat organization. When I was young, my father worked on one of the city tugs that hauled skows up and down the East River and would occasionally bring me onboard for the 2 day trip. I instantly recognized the Moran and McAllister boats that frequented the Harbor back in the day.