Forrester Research Evaluates Enterprise Instant Messaging Platforms And Gateways

CAMBRIDGE, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 2, 2004--New compliance requirements like HIPAA and Sarbanes-Oxley have made the increasing employee use of public instant messaging (IM) networks a potential liability for enterprises. Smart companies are evaluating enterprise instant messaging (EIM) solutions to shield them from this risk -- and to take advantage of the unique benefits of IM in the enterprise. Forrester Research, Inc. (Nasdaq: FORR) announces Enterprise Instant Messaging (EIM) TechRankings(TM), which provides highly objective research on the leading products in this emerging market.

Forrester's Enterprise Instant Messaging TechRankings evaluated six global market leaders:

“Leading-edge firms that want to both reduce legal liability and begin to explore IM as a legitimate business tool need to evaluate both EIM platforms and EIM gateways.”

-- Akonix

-- FaceTime

-- IBM

-- IMlogic

-- Jabber

-- Microsoft

Forrester evaluated two types of IM products: EIM platforms from IBM, Microsoft, and Jabber; and EIM gateways from Akonix, FaceTime, and IMlogic. "Lab testing confirmed market dogma -- neither category of product yet offers a complete EIM solution without the other," said Forrester Senior Analyst Nate Root. "Leading-edge firms that want to both reduce legal liability and begin to explore IM as a legitimate business tool need to evaluate both EIM platforms and EIM gateways."

To analyze the products according to their core strengths and capabilities, Forrester tested them against many criteria, including:

-- Messaging -- How robust are the product's messaging clients?

-- Architecture -- How scalable and extensible is the product's server-side architecture?

-- Integration -- How well does the product integrate with existing IM networks, third-party software, and custom applications?

-- Management -- How robust are the product's tools for system setup, reporting, maintenance, and policy enforcement?

-- Market presence -- How strong are the vendor's presence and pricing model in the EIM market?

The TechRankings research mentioned in this press release is available to Forrester WholeView(TM) clients and can be found at www.forrester.com.

About TechRankings

Launched in October 2000, TechRankings has evaluated more than 100 enterprise software products through rigorous hands-on scenario-based product testing, in-depth research, and objective analysis of global vendor offerings. TechRankings allows Forrester clients to use online tools to customize the research -- and product evaluation rankings -- to focus on the most important criteria and vendors. Forrester invites all important vendors, based on their product fit and momentum, to participate in each TechRankings evaluation. Forrester does not charge vendors in any way to participate.

About Forrester

Forrester is an independent technology research company that provides pragmatic and forward-thinking advice about technology's impact on business. Business, marketing, and IT professionals worldwide collaborate with Forrester to align their technology investments with their business goals. Forrester offers products and services in four major areas: Research, Data, Consulting, and Community. Established in 1983, Forrester is headquartered in Cambridge, Mass. For additional information, visit www.forrester.com.