Instant messaging began in the late 1990s with programs like ICQ and AOL Instant Messenger that allowed users to communicate in real-time over the internet. While initially popular among consumers, businesses were wary due to concerns about lost productivity and security. However, as users began using IM for work collaboration, businesses recognized it as a potential communications tool. This led vendors to develop enterprise instant messaging solutions that integrated with corporate directories and provided security and logging features. Widespread adoption of IM in businesses and organizations still faces challenges around user training, integration with other systems, and ensuring interoperability and open standards.

1. Instant Messaging Private Sector/Public Sector A CIO’s Dilemma By: Jessica Williams

2. Historical Overview Bulletin Boards & Online Services Purpose was to share or exchange messages regarding specific interests Internet Software developers wanted to mimic some aspects of the online service (chat room software) July 1996, 4 gentlemen began company called Mirabilis Goal was to “connect” people

3. Historical Overview ICQ (I seek you) Released in November 1996 Real-time tool that uses a software application, called a client that resides on a computer. The client communicates with an ICQ server whenever the user is online and the client is running. The client and server allow two users to communicate

4. Historical Overview America Online Bought out Mirabilis in November of 1998 for $287 million Created A OL Instant Messenger Proprietar y protocol Provides link between AOL and the rest of the Internet

5. Historical Overview Microsoft Introduced MSN Explorer Includes instant messaging service: MSN Messenger Includes the ability to talk with another MSN Explorer user just like you would over the telephone. Yahoo! Introduced Yahoo Messenger Easy integration with other Yahoo content and services

6. Historical Overview Other Utilities Odigo Combine AIM, ICQ and Yahoo! Messenger contact lists Omni Combine the functionality of AIM, ICQ, MSN Explorer and Yahoo! Messenger, plus the file-download utilities Napster and Gnutella, all in one program!

7. How Does IM Work? Web-based instant messaging, the most common form of IM, allows you to contact other individuals using the Internet as a means of communication. Use of proprietary protocols A "client" is loaded on local computers, they login to a server and are able to communicate directly with other logged in "clients".

8. Business Usage – “if you can’t beat em, join em” In 2002, business didn’t understand the importance of IM Saw it as a threat to worker productivity End users saw it as a collaboration tool – a communications niche somewhere between phone and email IT departments are beginning to see IM as communications tool & are looking for ways to control it, implement security measures, and implement it with other groupware components

9. Security Concerns IM is not a secure way to communicate Messages and connection information are maintained on servers controlled by the provider of the IM utility used Most provide some encryption but not enough There have been reported cases of IM user logs being captured and used by nefarious sorts.

10. Enterprise Instant Messaging MSN Messenger Connect for Enterprises AIM Enterprise Gateway Yahoo Enterprise Edition 1.0 All provide ways to integrate users with corporate directories, and log and archive traffic

11. Educational Usage Morris Library – Southern Illinois University Potential collaboration tool for student / faculty population 3 Main Issues to Full Implementation Faculty learning curve Lack of extra time Security

12. Government Usage FEMA – IM service for first responders Government has more to lose, but could gain the most cost savings 4 Main Issues to Full Implementation Lack of interoperability Absence of compelling business case Public Records Security

13. Future Forecast Growth Very bright future - growth is due to popularity Business users are discovering that instant messaging allows them to have virtual conferences and collaborate on projects very easily. Corporate IM is expected to replace 65% of email usage by 2004.

14. Future Forecast Interoperability Many IM clients with features that are proprietary Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) is developing a standard protocol for instant messaging (IMPP - Instant Messaging Presence Protocol) Could lead to interoperable instant messaging system that works like email

15. Two Things to Remember This is all possible from an IT perspective There are no technological impediments preventing IM from reaching its full potential If there are obstacles, they will come from industry failure to agree on open standards