Instant messengers (IMs), such as ICQ or very popular in Poland Gadu-Gadu, allow users to exchange information, files, checking the availability of other people or conduct a teleconference.
Attitude of companies towards instant messengers is ambivalent – on the one hand IM systems make contacts between employees and/or suppliers easier, especially in large organizations, on the other hand they constitute a medium of the possible leak of important information from the company. They can also be a thief of time for people who instead of working, will spend time chitchatting with friends.
The perfect solution is to launch a dedicated IM system for company’s employees and, possibly, for its suppliers or customers. This solution gives us all the benefits without the risks mentioned above. In the world of Open Source there is a wealth of excellent implementations, which will make free flow of information within the company easier.
