Firms are being offered an on-demand secureinstant messaging system to help them
take advantage of the
increasing use of instant messaging in business.
Networker Web
Access Client from
Presence Networks is a browser-based instant messaging service
that does not require the user to download desktop software, and
protects companies from
security breaches.
Webmail-based instant messaging accounts, from the likes of AOL
and Yahoo,
are
inherently open to security breaches as they are based on
peer-to-peer technology that transports data over the public
internet, leaving users susceptible to hacking and malware.
Bob Tarzey, an analyst at Quocirca, said, "As an additional
communications channel, instant messaging can deliver huge benefits
to businesses if managed well, providing immediate contact between
employees and the external organisations they deal with.
"To do this with appropriate levels of security and auditing,
businesses need to standardise on an enterprise-class system that
unifies instant messaging with other online communication channels
rather than relying on freely available tools," he said.
The Networker Web Access Client provides a secure alternative to
peer-to-peer instant messaging and also provides a full set of
Networker features without needing to download software.
The instant messaging client is hosted on a dedicated central
server that offers 128-bit encryption combined with an integrated
anti-virus system, meaning that remote workers can communicate
instantly and securely from any number of computer terminals.
With Networker technology, the public instant messaging gateway
communicates with the Networker Server, which in turn communicates
with the Networker Client.
At this point, the data passes through the Networker Server and
the communication is cleansed and recorded, ensuring the highest
level of security and eliminating direct peer-to-peer
communications.
This means users of the Networker system can safely communicate
with users of webmail-based instant messaging systems, along with
others using Networker.
Networker Web Access Client starts at £40 per person per
annum.
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