MessageLabs moves into managed IM

MessageLabs has entered the instant messaging (IM) security space with the launch of its new Enterprise Instant Messenger (EIM) service.

The service filters attachments and URLs as each instant message is sent, thus attempting to stop security threats prior to reaching a recipients network.

It stems from MessageLabs’s October 2005 acquisition of Omnipod and its enterprise IM service and also takes note of the growth in compliance regulation, offering users the ability to save and archive IM conversations.

According to MessageLabs, more than 100 million people currently used IM in the enterprise sector. This figure was expected to grow up to 40 per cent year on year over the next four years.

Messagelabs president Jos White said in a statement that a managed IM service was required as the majority of IT managers were oblivious to IM use within their businesses.

This was largely due to the use of insecure public IM clients such as AOL, MSN and Yahoo!, he said. The new service is available in three bundles.

The entry level service, EIM Communicate, allows for the secure chat and exchange files with other users within the same organisation and includes the MessageLabs Professional Online Desktop client and EIM File Sharing function.

EIM Connect lets users connect with users outside of the EIM network, through a variety of platforms and includes the vendor’s EIM Interoperate, EIM Logging and EIM SMS services.

EIM Collaborate allows users to work with a full suite of communication products in a single interface and provides integration with additional applications such as WebEx and SalesForce.

As reported in iTNews, MessageLabs first flagged its intention to launch a managed IM service in March with the launch of its managed email archiving service.

At the time MessageLabs A/NZ boss James Scollay said the company intented to also launch complementary managed mobile messaging and VoIP services.