[Tibs]

http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.j...technologyNews

SEATTLE (Reuters) - Microsoft Corp. (MSFT.O: Quote, Profile, Research) will expand the availability of its corporate instant messaging software to mobile devices and cell phones, the world's largest software maker said on Monday.
Redmond, Washington-based Microsoft said it would also partner with BlackBerry maker Research In Motion Ltd. (RIM.TO: Quote, Profile, Research) (RIMM.O: Quote, Profile, Research) so that users of the popular wireless e-mail devices can send and receive instant messages as well.

Such products are aimed at office workers who need to send instant text messages without having to sit in front of a desktop or a notebook personal computer, but also want the ability to keep such communications secure and available for later retrieval.

Microsoft is betting demand for corporate instant-messaging and Web-conferencing products will increase as companies encourage employees to work together remotely, rather than in face-to-face meetings that can involve costly business travel.

Microsoft said the mobile version of its recently upgraded instant messaging program for businesses, called Microsoft Office Communicator, will be available in the second half of 2005. The software can track whether users are online and allow them to swap text messages between phones or between a cell phone and a PC.

Microsoft's MSN Internet division offers a separate instant messenger for consumers using Windows Mobile based devices.

[Masud]

This news post is not related to MSN Messenger support on the BlackBerry but to Microsoft Live Communications Server 2005 support for BlackBerry handhelds.

[T-Roy]

I suppose its similar to Exchange Messenger. It is not going to tie into MSN Messenger, its a business application for messaging to people within the same organization only... I think :D

[jibi]

Originally Posted by T-Roy

I suppose its similar to Exchange Messenger. It is not going to tie into MSN Messenger, its a business application for messaging to people within the same organization only... I think :D

Actually, its going to be a few things. First off, "Istanbul" will be available to corporate users who utilize LCS 2005 along with the IM add-on. Secondly, I would imagine that it will be offered to users of MSFT's Live Meeting, as well as conferencing companies (Intercall, MCI, BT, etc) who have upgraded to LCS 2005 and the IM add-on. It is still currently in the latter stages of beta testing. To my knowledge, its going to merge all IM networks - MSN, AOL, Yahoo, etc.

I'm glad to see RIM adopting this into their software. The technology and client is quite nice, to be honest.