In Part I of IM for Business Communications series, I discussed about instant messaging and its use. Today I will discuss another aspect of using Instant Messaging Tools in Offshore Development Environment.

If you are going to use IM for business, think about whether it will really improve your business communications or just serve as another distraction at your work. Some people find it very handy and efficient to make quick responses. Others find it annoying and distracting. I think, the effectiveness of using IM depends on the nature of job and how effectively the person can use the IM tools. In offshore and outsourcing business, IM is very effective and useful. Clients now and then directly communicates with Project Managers, negotiate projects with Business Development Managers. If you follow the eXtreme Programming (XP) methodology for the development process, then IM is used as part of the development process itself. Clients feel comfortable if they see their developers online. Being online in IM does not mean, you have to talk all the time, but that gives confidence to clients that the developers are around even though they are many time zones apart. They feel that their job is being done just a clicks aways from them.

Skype revolutionized the way offshore development team communicates with its client across the world. Making phone calls to the Asian countries like India, Nepal, Vietnam was a nightmare because of its connection quality and cost. Now every one has got their own Skype ID and clients don’t ask about communication problems anymore.

Light weight Google Talk is so good for voice communication. Yahoo! Messenger and Windows Live Messengers are much better now. All of these IM tools offer facility to save your text communications for future reference. If you can not get hold of your developer, or client, you can leave your off line voice messages though Yahoo! Messenger or Google Talk. Most of the IM tools these days offer off line text message delivery functionality. These features make sure that the message is delivered and informed. You are communicate either you are online or off line. Yahoo! Messenger and Windows Live Messenger handshake has made possible to cross-communicate with people in either of these IM lists.

Yes, like most technologies, instant messaging does have some drawbacks. Security is one of hte major issues. One should be cautious with the information you shre over instant messengers. Most of these IM tools suggest not to share Credit card information and other confidential information over the messenger. Another drawback is the misuse of IM facility at workplace. Employees may be tempted to spend long hours chatting with their friends during work hours because instant messaging is easy and fun, sharing files, codes, emoticons, shared music and more.. You may want to adopt an instant-messaging policy (similar to e-mail policy, most of the organizations usually have) that clearly outlines how IM should and should not be used in workplace. Because they are evasive on the network, and open up channels inside your organization that are difficult to control, they represent potential vectors of malware.
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