Harvard University IM Pilot for Central Administration (CA)

Instant Messaging (IM) technology has emerged as an important component of real-time communication tools. The strategic implication of this technology and its applications are being explored by UIS for use within CA with the proposition and benefits of:

• A secure and managed infrastructure for real-time communications;
• support for emerging applications and the changes in the manner people communicate and collaborate in the workplace;
• increased productivity and enhanced collaboration between staff, customers, and external work groups

UIS plans to offer an IM pilot to select groups within CA this calendar year utilizing two vendor solutions: IBM Sametime and Microsoft Office Communications Server (OCS). The primary purpose of the pilot is to:

• explore the viability and benefits of the technology in the Harvard working environment, including the ease of deployment, use and manageability;
• document and assess the “end user experience” and client/feature preferences;
• explore and refine the technical architecture and costing models for potential future implementation throughout Central Administration or the University;
• assess the feasibility and potential limitations of federation of the “pilot” IM system with consumer IM services such as Yahoo, MSN, AOL and others and
• gain an understanding for how these tools potentially integrate to other Harvard applications, such as web portals and iSites.

For additional information on the IM Pilot program, contact susan_delellis@harvard.edu

Download IM Pilot Welcome Package and Training Materials
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