Microsoft Corp. has signed a licensing agreement that could add Imlogic Inc.s instant messaging archiving technology into future versions of its Windows Messenger real-time communications platform, IMlogic announced Monday.
IMlogics IMLog 2000 software allows companies to archive incoming and outgoing IM traffic, search and retrieve those records and run reports on IM traffic.
Though Microsoft has not committed to using the technology yet, it is determining how to use it to enhance its instant messaging technology, according to a company spokeswoman.
The technology is targeted at vertical industries where proper record keeping is paramount, such as financial services.
The licensing deal would allow Microsoft to embed IMLog 2000 into future versions of Windows Messenger, though neither IMlogic nor Microsoft would indicate when the products would be put together.
“Companies need to keep track of business conducted via IM, so archiving is a necessary part of the business IM infrastructure,” said David Gurle, product unit manager for the Windows Real Time Communications group at Microsoft Corp., in a statement. “IMlogics archiving solution allows us to provide valuable IM archiving functionality to our customers.”
Francis deSouza, founder and CEO of Boston-based IMlogic and the former head of Microsofts Real Time Communications group, after Microsoft acquired his previous company Flash Communications in 1998, said in a statement that IMlogic was moving beyond its softwares current ability to store, parse, filter, query and retrieve all Exchange 2000 IM traffic.
“We are developing a suite of products that will allow people to use their existing IM clients to conduct transactions, receive interactive notifications and be updated on the status of transactions in real-time,” deSouza said. “Archiving is a necessary first step.”