Messaging Leader Ipswitch, Inc. Enters Corporate Instant Messaging Market with Release of Ipswitch Instant Messenger

Business Wire, Feb 4, 2003

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

LEXINGTON, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 4, 2003

Security, affordability and ease-of-use differentiate new product for users in emerging market for business instant messaging

Ipswitch, Inc., a leading developer of Internet messaging software for Windows, today announced the release of Ipswitch Instant Messenger, its new secure client-server instant messaging solution created specifically for businesses. At a price of $695 for unlimited users, Ipswitch Instant Messenger combines the immediacy of the telephone and the convenience of e-mail to improve employee collaboration and productivity. Customers purchasing within the first 60 days of the product's release receive a free annual service agreement valued at $195.

Greater network security, message content confidentiality maintained

Businesses are increasingly confronted with security issues due to instant messaging usage over unsecured consumer services. Ipswitch Instant Messenger provides greater network security since it allows IT managers to internalize a core infrastructure communication tool and reduce the amount of confidential information sent across the Internet. Ipswitch Instant Messenger includes 168-bit end-to-end 3DES encryption, message logging, IP address restrictions and user identity controls. Security conscious administrators will appreciate the ability to keep the server behind the corporate firewall and not have to worry about public instant messaging service reliability issues.

"Instant messaging's growth in the workplace has been rapid," said Ipswitch President Roger C. Greene. "It is no longer simply a way for employees to communicate to friends or co-workers about personal issues. It has become a critical business tool, but security has been non-existent. Free and hosted instant messaging solutions require companies to send data beyond firewalls, creating potential security problems. Ipswitch Instant Messenger provides greater security since it is an end-to-end secure solution that companies own and manage."

Organizations with multiple locations or multiple servers can take advantage of the distributed architecture to deploy servers where they can best be managed and accessed. In addition to all instant messages sent between servers being secured, administrators can enable the sharing of public contact lists and can secure the server by restricting access by IP address.

"Instant messaging solutions are steadily moving from home to business environments," said Robert P. Mahowald, research manager with IDC. "Instant messaging provides immediate communication and presence awareness, and products like Ipswitch's that combine both e-mail and instant messaging in one familiar, easy-to-use interface will be especially attractive to business users." IDC predicts that there will be 255 million worldwide users of consumer and business IM products by the end of 2006, up from 80 million in 2002.

Minimal IT investment provides affordable solution from company with strong reputation

While most business instant messaging products cost as much as $40 per user with the inclusion of service fees, Ipswitch Instant Messenger sells for under $700 for unlimited users. For essentially the same feature set and capabilities, a company with 250 employees could spend more than $10,000 on a competing product. Founded in 1991, Ipswitch has demonstrated over time its commitment to continually develop and improve its products, such as IMail Server, to best meet customer needs.

Familiar robust IM features for end-users, streamlined management for administrators

Ease-of-use, a trademark among Ipswitch products, is evident in Ipswitch Instant Messenger. It has the familiar Windows look and feel and is as easy to use as existing consumer products. End-users will be happy to see familiar personal contact lists, status messages, POP3 e-mail check, emoticons, privacy controls and rich text messages. Additional features not found in standard consumer products include a centrally managed global contact list, in-line file attachments, full context messaging, group messaging, off-line message queue, configurable public user information and off-line status messages.

Administrators will find Ipswitch Instant Messenger easy to install and administer. A centrally managed global address list, hierarchical organization of global contacts, quick status display of important system statistics, user database options including internal, NT/2000 database or IMail Server database and configurable message logging make administration an easy task.

Price and availability

Ipswitch Instant Messenger is available for a U.S. list price of $695 for unlimited users. Annual service agreements can be purchased for $195.

Founded in 1991, Ipswitch, Inc. develops easy-to-use, affordable, Windows-based software products that enhance the productivity of users from consumers to IT professionals. Its product family includes WS_FTP Pro, the world's most popular FTP client, with 128-bit SSL encryption and tens of millions of users; WS_FTP Server, with 128-bit SSL encryption, the first industrial-strength, full-featured FTP server for Windows NT/2000; WhatsUp Gold, a leading network mapping, monitoring, notification and reporting tool monitoring over 23,000 customer networks worldwide; IMail Server, the leading Internet messaging server for small and medium size companies and ISPs, with 53 million seats; and IMail Anti-Virus, powered by Symantec's CarrierScan(TM) and fully integrated with IMail Server, a powerful and easy to administer, all-in-one anti-virus solution - all designed to enhance mission-critical business solutions. Ipswitch products set new standards for functionality, performance, reliability and interoperability, while providing the foundation for corporate internetworking, and are available directly from Ipswitch and through distributors, resellers and OEMs worldwide.