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What Program to chat between two departments?

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11 replies

by david_spain

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Hi,

we are looking for a program so employees of the companie can chat. But the list of users must be controlled/limited by the administrator and the departments are in two different cities.
Is there any good program where I can find these options? Cause MSN/YM are great but the employees will start chatting with their family/friends and abusing the system....
If it is free, it would be great if not than a cheap one. We are looking for a 25 user based program. (We have static IPs)

Many thx,

David

11 replies

by Former member

As long as the computers have a mic, the people from your dept can start to chat all over the world if needed. Plus you will have full control, though you will have to read up on the rules. Skype here:
http://www.skype.com/welcomeback/

Please post back if you have any more problems or questions.

by david_spain

I can?t use Skype (I thought of it before) as it would be too loudly. We just need to send some messages to get some data from eachother or ask something.

Thx anyway

by ben.rattigan

Do a quick search on Google of open source IM applications. I think you will find what you need.

by david_spain

Just what I did, and I found JAbber. seems to be cool. Just need to test it this afternoon.

by jdclyde

The server you will be using will make a difference as to what is available to you.

Also, what OS are the workstations running?

by david_spain

We have MS Server 2003 and all th ePC are running on Win XP Pro.
I have been sarching and trying and I believe JABBER is a good program for the IM stuff. I have just installed OPENFIRE and use PSi fro all the clients. It seems that I can control all the users with it, just what I wanted. Just hope I can get it working with Pc?s outside.....

by shhite

We tested a product called Effusia Business Manager. It is costed effective and works for computers inside and outside your network. It is completely controlled by the Controller placed on your server.

by shhite

We tested a product called Effusia Business Manager. It is costed effective and works for computers inside and outside your network. It is completely controlled by the Controller placed on your server.

by jdclyde

Roaming users and people from home?

One way is to setup a VPN to get access to the LAN and then launch the session. Probably the easiest and most secure solution. Otherwise, you are opening your server to the internet, and that is to be avoided if possible, even if it is on a DMZ.

The fewer holes you poke in your firewall, the fewer rats come in.

by david_spain

Using a VPN will be the next thing maybe. But we have to study tha first.
In the meanwhile I have installed JABBER (Client and server) and it works fine. best of all, it is free.
So now everybody can chat within the two companies and we are sure that they can not chat outside.

Still the VPN will sure be the next thing. But first I have to learn about that one. Cause telling the people that they have to connect themself every day they start up the PC is much to ask.....

thx

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