Using AOL instant message for business

Since more and more businesses are starting to use instant messaging as a valid means of communication, the companies who create instant messenger programs are developing ways to make them more user friendly in the business environment. In trying to improve business instant messaging AOL has come out with a new type of instant messenger called AIM Pro. This is a free download that anybody can use.

With AIM Pro AOL is advertising that it is an advanced communications product for business professionals. It has added features that their regular AIM program does not offer, but still offers you the same services that their regular AIM program uses.

Added features include:
- Fully compatible with Microsoft Vista
o Both versions of AIM are fully compatible with all Microsoft Windows Operating systems. When downloading the product be sure you choose the right operating system.
- More secure instant messaging
o Instant messaging has never been secure because all of the messages are sent to another server before being relayed to your contact. But with encrypted messages it is harder for people to hack into your information.
- Video conferencing and online meetings
o With just the click of a button you can talk face to face with important business clients, you can also just have a online meeting in a private chat room. This feature is great for working in teams or with people at the home office.
- Desktop and file sharing
o This allows you to share important documents that might be on your desktop or in your program files with just the click of a button. The files are then transmitted through the instant messenger to your contacts messenger. This process is a lot more simple then having to attach it to an email, but it can be less secure.
- Microsoft Outlook Client Integration
o This feature combines all instant messages, events from you Microsoft Outlook calendar, and the ability to send email from one convenient location.
- Business-Grade Security
o This is added security for all of your business instant messaging needs. AIM is able to offer this because they encrypt all of your communications, which gives you another layer of security on top of anything else your company might offer.
- One-Click WebEx
o These are business meetings that AIM offers. Now you can meet with numerous people on messenger and show presentations.
- Advanced Communication Tools
o This feature allows you to have conference calls directly through instant messenger. This feature can help your company save money because AIM Pro is free to download and use and using the communications tools for conference calls will save you long distance charges on your phone bill.
- Allow IT department more control
o This feature is great because it will allow your IT department more control over instant messaging usage, which can help you solve the problem of employees using instant messengers to chat.

Because this messenger combines the regular AIM program and the AIM Pro employees who have used AIM before can just upgrade their program rather than having to install a new program. It will keep all of their contacts in place separated into contact groups as they deem fit. But AIM Pro has one extra category titled Teams. This allows for you to group your team members into one convenient place so that when working on team projects you do not have to go hunting through your business contacts to find your team members.

In creating AIM Pro AOL has now pulled apart from the rest of the companies who make instant messengers. They are the first to have created a messenger strictly designed for business, but that is as user friendly as their personal program.