Five Best Instant Messaging Services for Puny Business Project Collaboration
For petite businesses and startups, instant messaging services are significant for project collaboration and communication, especially when you are working with freelancers, remote employees, traveling clients, or on projects that need instantaneous attention.
An instant messaging service should enable quick problem solving, permit users to share information, and send large files in real time.
They should also be user-friendly and provide a multiplicity of functions, such as movie talk and even conference calling options.
Here are the top five free instant messaging applications for petite businesses that won't set you back financially.
1. Google+Hangouts(Gtalk)
With the reputable name of Google, it's effortless to see why Hangouts is one of the top apps for instant messaging. Hangouts is an extension of Google Plus. It requires a Google Mail (Gmail) account and works the same with Androids, Apple devices, and computers.
Because it's effortless and free to set up a Google+ account from your Gmail, which many of your employees might already use, Hangouts requires virtually no installation.
Much like Gtalk, users can see when people are online and when they've read your messages. One big difference is that it's more akin to text messaging, in that the conversation won't end if you're offline; the message will be waiting for you when you come back, much like a text.
The good news is that Gtalk users will “be left alone [and not] be compelled over to Hangouts” just yet, according to an article from CNN, and Gtalk users can talk with Hangouts users.
Two. Adium
Adium is an open source instant messaging system for Mac OS X, so if any of your remote employees or clients are PC users, this would not be the best service for your business. However, this talk client is a beloved among Mac users for its elementary interface.
It is a multi-protocol talk client, so it conveniently supports Gtalk, AIM, Yahoo Messenger, and dozens of other services, permitting you to talk with coworkers, no matter what service they're using. Adium also provides accomplish address book integration and combined contacts, so each name represents the person instead of individual accounts.
Trio. Spark
Spark is designed specifically for business use and works fine with puny companies. Configured to permit businesses to link it to their servers, Spark enables employees to access it with their company passwords and IDs as they would their email, so it offers a little more security and privacy. It's also quick and runs slickly, without interfering with other programs that might be open on your computer.
Four. Jabber
Jabber is another open source application, and while it functions much like Gtalk, it can also be customized based on specific needs and desires. Like Adium, it supports other messaging systems under the Extensible Messaging and Presence Protocol (XMPP) open source software. Your business's IT department can also control it so that you won't have to rely on a third-party source for technical support.
Five. Yahoo! Messenger
Yahoo! Messenger was originally created for more casual talking inbetween online peers. However, Yahoo! is very adaptable to business environments. It has an lightly customizable design, as well as movie and voice options, and advanced privacy settings. It incorporates text messaging through your smartphone and also permits you to share large files and photos up to 2GB, in real time.
When comparing instant messaging services, make sure it has all the features you require for your puny business and fits with the devices and computers you're using. Your preferences for open source software or a name brand is up to you. All these applications are customizable for your business, effortless to use, and permit for effective communication inbetween employees and with clients and customers.