Messaging has come a long way from the early days of rudimentary chat programs, the DOS and Windows "NET SEND" command and the Novell NetWare "SEND" command.

The ideal corporate instant-messaging environment lets users communicate anything they choose, from simple typed messages to documents to video. It tells employees which colleagues are available for an impromptu meeting and which don't wish to be disturbed. The ideal IM environment offers impenetrable security that thwarts intrusion attempts, as well as IM-borne malware. It's nimble and responsive; intuitive to use and administer; and integrates seamlessly with other IM products and protocols, such as AOL Instant Messenger (AIM).

Preferably, it safely archives IM sessions for easy retrieval by an auditor, is highly scalable, exhibits rock-solid reliability and uses network resources frugally. A corporate IM product taps into a Windows Active Directory or a Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) back end for grouping and authenticating users. And finally, it provides the necessary VoIP capabilities to turn a chat session easily into a telephone call.

In short, the model platform makes holding meetings via IM as productive as - or even better than - meeting face to face.

To test the state of corporate IM tools we invited all vendors in this space to send products. We received Extensible Communications Platform (XCP) 5.2 from Jabber, Lotus Sametime 7.5.1 from IBM and Openfire Enterprise Edition 3.2 from Jive Software. We downloaded Gordano Messaging Suite (GMS) 5.0 from Gordano's FTP site and Mirador Instant Messenger for Windows 3.0 from Serial Scientific International's (SSI) Web site, and we accessed Cisco's WebEx AIM Pro Business Edition via the Internet.

Microsoft also plays in this space with its older Live Communications Server 2005 platform and will be forging ahead with enterprise IM as part of its Office Communication Server platform running on Exchange 2007. As this product was still in beta during our testing Window and won't be available until next month, we could not include it in our head to head test. We have, however, test early beta code to help give readers a feel for what they can expect from this unified messaging platform. (See OCS tests here and here.)

Product Lotus Sametime 7.5.1 Extensible Communications Platform (XCP) 5.2 WebEx AIM Pro Business Edition Vendor IBM Jabber Cisco Price as tested $56.75 per user. $35 per user. $$5 per user, per month (subscription). Pros Feature-rich, secure, well integrated with other applications, such as Microsoft office. Interoperable with AOL Instant Messenger, secure, scalable. Internet-based service (if you prefer outsourcing), good Active Directory integegration, good security. Cons Pricey Needs to integrate better with Outlook and other mail readers. Probably not for you if you have slow or unrealiable Internet links, or you dislike outsourcing. Score 4.9 4.6 4.5 Product Openfire Enterprise Edition 3.2 Gordano Messaging Suite (GMS) 5.0 Mirador Instant Messemger for Windows 3.0 Vendor Jive Software Gordano Serial Scientific International Price as tested $15 per user. GMS Instant Messaging, $450; GMS Collaboration, $950; GMS Mail, $450; and GMS Archive, $1,110. All prices listed are for 25 users. Starts at $335 for 10 users. Pros Excellent "chat with an agent now" instant-messaging environment. Presence includes geographic location, good integration with Outlook. Excellent remote-control tool, switches easily between IM and VoIP conversations. Cons Not highly scalable. Not interoperable with other IM environments (by design). Windows-centric, documentation too brief. Score 3.4 3.2 2.9 The breakdown  IBM Lotus Sametime Jabber Extensible Communications Platform Cisco WebEx AIM Pro Business Edition Jive Software Openfire Enterprise Edition Gordano Messaging Suite Serial Scientific Mirador Instant Messenger for Windows Messaging 20% 5 5 4 4 4 3 Security 20% 5 5 5 3 4 3 Ease of use 20% 5 4 4 3 3 3 Interoperability 20% 5 5 5 4 2 3 Special features 10% 5 4 4 3 3 3 Documentation/installation 10% 4 4 5 3 3 2 TOTAL SCORE 4.9 4.6 4.5 3.4 3.2 2.9 Scoring Key: 5: Exceptional; 4: Very good; 3: Average; 2: Below average; 1: Subpar or not available

Click to see: Net results

IBM Lotus Sametime earned our Clear Choice Award for its superior messaging, high level of integration with other applications, ease of use, scalability and excellent security. Nearly as excellent and carrying a much lower price tag is Jabber's XCP. Cisco's WebEx AIM Pro is a great choice if you prefer to outsource server operations and your users have reliable Internet connections.