A couple of weeks ago, in musing about a potential ZENworks for instant messaging application, I waxed lyrical about Google's new open source IM client and how Novell - which is adopting all things open source seemingly willy-nilly - might developed a synergy between Eric Schimdt's current employer (Google) and his previous one (Novell).

What a number of you gently pointed out to me was that Novell already has an IM client - GroupWise Messenger - first introduced with GroupWise 6.5. GW Messenger is a far cry from the SEND.EXE and BROADCAST 25th line messages of the old NetWare, by the way. In its product literature, Novell describes GW Messenger as:

"...a secure, open standards-based and policy-based instant messaging system that allows employees to communicate in real-time, permitting faster decision making while protecting information behind the firewall. Employees can determine personal availability, and communicate and transfer files - all behind the safety of the corporate firewall. GroupWise Messenger also enables an organization to extend instant messaging securely beyond the firewall to partners and suppliers using a [VPN]. Administrators can set policies to log instant messaging communications system-wide, by groups or by individuals, simplifying management and control."

Security features of GW Messenger include:

* Directory authentication - All users must first authenticate through Novell eDirectory to keep out unauthorized people. * Secure communication - GW Messenger encrypts all communications (client-to-server and server-to-server) using SSL encryption, so eavesdroppers can't tap into sensitive information.

* User conversation recording - Users can record conversations on a private file for their own use, so they have an audit trail of sensitive conversations.

* Corporate conversation archive - GW Messenger can be set to archive conversations on an encrypted log file that's available only to trusted users.

* True user identities - Because GroupWise Messenger is integrated with Novell eDirectory, users know their contacts' true identities instead of only aliases or screen names.

Management is policy based using a plug-in to ConsoleOne, and is integrated with eDirectory.

Today's younger employees have IM on their own computers and "texting" on their cell phones as integral parts of their daily lives. They expect the same sort of facility in their business life. There's probably IMing on your network right now; wouldn't you rather have secure, manageable IM?

The top 5: Today's most-read stories

1. How to solve Windows system crashes in minutes

2. IPTV will trip up Bells, analysts say

3. McAfee, Omniquad top anti-spyware test

4. Skype: Hazardous to network health?

5. The rise of the IT architect

To contact Dave Kearns:

Dave Kearns is a writer and consultant in Silicon Valley. He's written a number of books including the (sadly) now out of print "Peter Norton's Complete Guide to Networks." His musings can be found here.