Software solution provider Jabber has rolled out a new version of
its Jabber WebClient instant messaging offering for
enterprises.
Jabber WebClient 1.3 is designed to integrate with standard Web
browsers and enterprise portals, delivering secure IM without
installing software on workers' desktops, according to Jabber
officials.
"It fits in nicely with enterprise administration requirements, and
they don't have to install or maintain software on end-user PCs,"
said Don Bergal, vice-president of marketing at Jabber. "With the
Jabber WebClient you pull up a browser and you have access to the
secure IM features."
Many corporations are looking beyond standalone IM clients to embed
IM functionality into enterprise portals and custom Web
applications, according to Bergal.
Eyeing this trend, WebClient Version 1.3 includes an SDK (software
development kit) and a toolset designed to tie presence and IM into
portals and applications.
"Jabber IM is extensible. It brings real-time communication into
other applications," Bergal said. "Most enterprises want to build
IM into a portal or put their content into an IM client for an
advertising push."
Furthermore, Version 1.3 bolsters security with the addition of
message encryption via SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) and
authentication against a corporate database using LDAP.
Integrating IM with the security provisioning of the corporate
network helps simplify administration by using the same database
information for authenticating on IM and the corporate
network.
In addition to added security, WebClient allows IM messages to pass
seamlessly through corporate firewalls, according to Bergal.
In order to connect employees located outside the corporate campus
or customers and partners, "IM has to traverse the firewall without
leaving a gaping hole," Bergal said.
Other enhancements include subscription control, roster management,
user and room search, and the ability to deliver dynamic HTML
content.