PMcrunch

Without Instant Messaging, the use of the internet and broadband technology would be greatly under valued.  Thanks to this method of communication, contact between individuals using the internet may be conducted in real time, regardless of their location. 

Without Instant Messaging, it wouldn’t be impossible for someone in Calcutta to communicate with someone in Prague and talk business, close deals, handle project management issues, discuss personal issues, even gossip.

Instant messaging evolves

The first programs handling Instant Messaging appeared in the 70s, as UNIX commands.  Their purpose was to provide a means of communication between individuals using the same computer.  This gradually extended to include those within the local network. 

Later on, upon the advent of the internet, Instant Messaging expanded its reach, making it possible for people in different areas of the globe to ‘talk’ using text, symbols and images.  These days, Instant Messaging has begun to include other methods, such as video conferencing, web conferencing, screen and application sharing, whiteboarding, and VoIP or Voice Over IP.

Uses of Instant Messaging

Apart from being the preferred means of communication among active members of social networking sites, Instant Messaging is also used to facilitate communications in different fields – financial institutions, corporate offices, educational institutions, industrial plants, etc.

It has also extended beyond the internet to conquer the mobile phone industry.  Today Mobile instant messaging or MIM has enabled millions of phone subscribers in the world to communicate efficiently and instantly. 

With this means of utilizing Instant Messaging, mobile phone users can exchange views and opinions, request for information and even activate online and mobile services with just a few short words and phrases.

Leveraging IM on Projects

Instant Messaging is extremely valuable where phone communication is less practical and where near instant communication is necessary.  As a sort of cross between email and phone communications, IM enables a project team member to eliminate waiting on the phone, to potentially do other things – even more IM conversations - while in an IM conversation, put words into text to clarifying communications, and create automatic archives of the conversations.  

In addition, using IM, files, links, and other information can easily be shared.  Disseminated project teams can communicate as if they were located in the same office.  All of this is also extremely valuable especially in offshore outsourcing and business process outsourcing.