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Technologies at Geometric
Instant Messaging (IM) Technology
Geometric Software has developed the Instant Messaging Technology platform
for MatrixOne, a world-leading provider of collaborative product development
solutions. The objective was to develop an instant messaging, conferencing
and mobile alert application for MatrixOne’s collaborative product – Team
Central.
What does IM do?
IM extends the online collaborative capabilities such as the ability for
secure enterprise instant messaging, for one-to-one or multiple user
sessions across the value chain. An IM user can detect other online team
members and invite them into an instant messaging session. Inviting others,
thereby providing a real-time, text communication medium, can expand the
session. Additionally, participants may instantly transition to other
supported online conference mechanisms that support real-time collaboration
in context for multiple media types such as WebEx.
IM is different from MSN and Yahoo
IM is based on secure Internet protocols across firewalls. Though based on
Yahoo standards, IM differs from MSN and Yahoo Messenger — messages are sent
in a secure medium and become jumbled in transit and decode only at the
authenticated user’s end.
Advantages
The technology provides online project access to authenticated users,
irrespective of geographical location, thereby helping users accelerate
product development and reduce time-to-market.
The IM technology platform has been developed using Geometric’s risk-sharing
model.
Instant Messaging is a type of communications service that enables one to
create a private chat room with another individual. Typically, the instant
messaging system alerts the user whenever somebody on his or her private
list is online, a capability known as “presence”. They can then initiate a
chat session with that particular individual. People can communicate with
each other by typing with a PC, wireless device (cell phone, PDA, etc.) or
other Internet appliance/device. Or, they can use a combination of these
gadgets to communicate.
Instant messaging also exists, to a certain extent, in the wireless world.
Short messaging services (SMS) is a system that sends short text messages to
mobile phones. The process isn’t quite as “instant” as wired IM is, though.
SMS messages are stored on servers and then sent to recipients. Users can
access IM within enterprise applications and detect online presence of
project team members. Once online presence is verified, an IM session can be
initiated, enabling instant ad-hoc collaboration.
Presence Management: Instant Messaging Technology helps to detect current
connectivity of a “buddy” or “team member” in order to initiate a message
exchange with them, and is effective when a contact initiator overtly wants
to make an immediate contact for gaining information which could lead to
decision-making. Detecting online presence increases communication
capabilities and schedules tasks better in teams improving overall
productivity.
The benefit of integrating IM and enterprise programs like PDM is that the
hierarchy of team members is automatically uploaded to the IM presence
management system and the user can locate team members relevant to
particular projects for communication. Once presence is detected, the user
can initiate communication with the required project team member.
Secure:
This application is secure and not open to the public domain like
the freely available IM applications. Only those users, part of enterprise
systems with proper authentication, can access this application. The project
leader can control the members who take part in the communication. The
application also has a 128-bit encryption built into it, which ensures the
communication exchange is secure.
Reliable: This application runs on the enterprise servers and is not
dependent on outside servers like public IM applications. The enterprise can
be sure of the reliability of communication exchange and not have to depend
on third-party hardware and software.
Interoperable: The IM application is interoperable and seamlessly built into
the enterprise system. Users can log on to the application without exiting
the enterprise system, which helps to access crucial data necessary for
communication and decision-making.
Today, collaboration across the value chain is the single most important
requirement amongst corporate product development teams. Other applications
include EDM, CAD/CAM and other product development tools. (Also refer to
Osterman Research on IM applications http://www.ostermanresearch.com/index.htm)
Huma Afridi
Geometric Software
Solutions Co. Ltd.
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