Information storage firm OTG Software, Inc. is launching IMXtender, a platform designed specifically for the storage and management of enterprise-wide instant messaging (IM) applications. In partnership with OTG, Ikimbo will provide the IMXtender platform as part of its Omniprise communications solution.
Messages and files sent via IM are captured in real-time and are centrally managed within the IMXtender Message Center. To allow easy retrieval, IMXtender also generates a full-text index of messages and files including user and session information. Immediate access to messages is provided through standard RAID-based storage. Specific storage requirements (including NAS, WORM, Tape, DVD and CD) can be met through the integration with OTG’s DiskXtender storage management software.
IDC estimates that the number of corporate IM users will explode from nearly 5.5 million in 2000, to over 181 million by 2004, and the number of corporate IM messages is expected to rise thirty-fold to over 1 trillion annually by 2004.
“The heightened use of corporate instant messaging has created a demand to collect, store and retrieve these messages, so that business information contained within them can be leveraged and used as a knowledge asset,” said Robert Mahowald, Senior Research Analyst for IDC. “The ability to manage and access instant messages means that IM can now be used as a true enterprise collaboration tool.”
Founded in 1999 and headquartered in Herndon, Va., Ikimbo provides an extensible set of communications tools — such as instant messaging and conferencing, file sharing and transfer, presence detection, and wireless access — integrated with enterprise-class applications. Ikimbo also offers services to assist clients in planning, implementation, and integration.
“Our partnership with Ikimbo provides the perfect opportunity to showcase IMXtender with a secure, highly scalable enterprise platform for real-time collaboration,” said William Caple, executive vice president of the Rockville, Md.-based OTG Software. “This offering furthers our goal of providing storage and access support for all forms of enterprise collaboration. Our platform will give IM providers and their customers a competitive advantage in peer-to-peer collaboration.”
OTG Software’s products are used by over 15,000 organizations worldwide and are available through a network of over 450 VARs, distributors, and OEMs.
OTG Launches Platform for IM Storage
