Many businesses use software such as Google Chat, Skype and Windows Live Messenger (WLM) as a way for colleagues to communicate in and around the office, without having to leave their desks or clog up the phone line. But if WLM is the chosen service for your business, you will have to find an alternative from next year.
Microsoft has decided to pull the plug on its free instant chat service after the number of US users dropped by 48 per cent. The software will continue to be active until March 2013, allowing businesses to find an alternative.
Microsoft has chosen to adopt Skype’s service, rather than competing with it. Skype is easy to integrate with a number of Microsoft’s products, such as the Xbox and Windows Phone 8 smartphone.
Speaking of the closure, Brian Blau from Gartner, a technology researcher told the BBC: “Skype’s top-up services offer the chance to monetise its users and Microsoft is also looking towards opportunities in the living room.
“Messenger doesn’t seem like an appropriate communications platform for TVs or the firm’s Xbox console – but Skype does.”
WLM was first launched in 1999 and was originally known as MSN Messenger up until 2006. It was one of the first messenger services on the market that allowed people to chat in real time. Over the years, photo’s, games, social media integration and video calling was all added to the service.
So whichever communication platform you choose for your business, remember if you want to keep your WLM contacts, you have the chance to move all your contacts to Skype using a migration tool made by Microsoft.
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