Instant Messaging

[visioN]

Hi,

 

What products are out for Windows which allow users to IM each other? Such as Microsoft Lync?

 

Are there any open source alternatives? It doesn't need to be very fancy just a IM facility, which would preferably integrate with AD.

 

Or integrate into our mysql/php intranet.

Edited September 30, 2014 by visioN

[Norphy]

There's OpenFire which can authenticate against AD. It uses the XMPP (Jabber) Protocol so pretty much any client would work. Spark was one that we used before we moved to Lync.

[stevewill6]

In my previous school I set up a Openfire Server and Spark Client for instant messaging. It was quite successful. I did not integrate it in to AD tho. There Is a web version if I remember correctly.

[SovietRussia]

lync lync lync its sooooo coool

 

Sorry on a Lync high as ours started working today for the first time *woop*

[Boredguy]

If you have Office 365, then Lync is the way to go as you can also use it to IM Skype users (if you enable external connections)

[FN-GM]

We use Lync Online with office 365. Easy to setup, free and free support!

[visioN]

We are not a School FYI.

We are on Exchange 2010 and won't be moving any time soon - so not sure Lync is the way forward for us?

I'll check out OpenFire

[localzuk]

Lync does not require Office 365, so not sure why people are mentioning it like that. You can run your own Lync server in house, which links up with your Exchange server just fine.

[Norphy]

Lync does not require Office 365, so not sure why people are mentioning it like that. You can run your own Lync server in house, which links up with your Exchange server just fine.

 

Really expensive if you're not a school though. Plus the hardware needed to run the thing is substantial. And it's horribly complicated.

[localzuk]

True. If you want a free one which is relatively simple to set up, OpenFire is your friend there. I've used it a few times.

[visioN]

Got openfire & spark installed and working! cheers guys

[itgeek]

Spark is good it allows you to integrate with your pbx phone system etc.

[hyb80]

This is something I have toyed with the idea of. For support requests etc.

 

Can I ask, if you have this sort of solution, do staff use it as an alternative to emailing ? do you use it for IT support requests only?

 

I am mainly interested in the IM element of this solution as apposed to the telephony side.

[stevewill6]

In my previous school we used Openfire and Spark for staff to communicate with other staff as not all classrooms had a phone in. It was very successful.

[hyb80]

In my previous school we used Openfire and Spark for staff to communicate with other staff as not all classrooms had a phone in. It was very successful.

was that via instant messaging or audio or both ?

[stevewill6]

sorry it was via instant message never looked at the audio.

[ascott2]

Another +1 for Lync here. As of 2013 the server can be run in a virtual plus the server licensing isn't as bad as it used to be, if you run in enterprise you only have to license per front end server. Of course depending on how much you want to do with it you could just run a single standard edition box. It integrates so well with exchange and you can even use it within OWA.

 

Although I think to get the full benefit of Lync it is really best to look at the features beyond just IM, namely enterprise voice features.

 

Just my 2 pence worth.