IBM and America Online are to improve interoperability between their instant messaging systems.
IBM and AOL have announced a joint pilot program, focused on extending existing integration between IBM Lotus Sametime and AOL’s Enterprise AIM Services. Sametime users can currently access their AIM buddy list features through a tab on the Sametime contact list. The pilot will add back-end integration to provide enhanced management capabilities and integrated directory features, through integration with the AIM Enterprise Gateway and Enterprise AIM Services.
The agreement is the latest move in AOL’s plans to leverage its extensive user base for the AIM service to make the business more lucrative. Last week it agreed a reseller deal with HP Services.
AOL and IBM have worked together in the instant messaging (IM) sector for a while now. AOL formerly teamed up with Lotus to develop server-to-server IM interoperability, although the project was ultimately put to one side and given little attention.
In 2001, the US Federal Communications Commission placed restrictions on AOL’s IM business as one of the terms for the AOL and Time Warner merger. This included the requirement that rival IM networks must be able to operate with AIM before AOL would be allowed to offer advanced IM-based high-speed services, such as video conferencing.
However, this isn’t the only opportunity likely to present itself from the development of the IM sector. There is currently a security gap developing in the IM sector. Instant messages are rarely checked for content or access rights, or recorded from the server side, resulting in growing security concerns. AOL has brought in FaceTime Communications to develop this functionality.
Several of AOL’s competitors, including Microsoft and Yahoo! are likely to improve their own corporate products over the next few months, making the market tougher. But, so far, these offerings are only designed to function with one network system.
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