Instant messaging is changing the way that businesses communicate – both internally and with their customers

So, what is instant messaging?

Simply put, instant messaging is a means of communicating with colleagues, business contacts, family and friends in real-time via computer. Messages are typed and then dispatched instantly over the Internet.

In many ways, instant messaging addresses the shortcomings of email.

• Users know if their contacts are online and therefore, when they send messages, they know that they are received
• Users define their own contacts list and can only be contacted by these people. This eliminates spam and junk mails and enables users to focus on important communications
• Users can hold online ‘conversations’ with multiple people simultaneously and discuss issues and ideas with them in real-time

And what are the benefits?

Instant messaging can be deployed in a variety of different ways to both improve internal and external communications. Rather than replacing email, it provides another, more spontaneous means of exchanging information and keeping in touch.

Instant messaging can be used to:

• Improve communications between employees
• Allow teams of people based in different offices, in different locations to work together more efficiently
• Communicate more cost effectively with customers via a web site
• Establish successful online communities and enhance social networking sites

Click here to find out more about the specific benefits of our products and services