Microsoft Corp. has released an update to its enterprise instant messaging and presence servers for free, a move that makes good on its promise to interoperate with the three major IM networks.
The Redmond, Wash., software maker on Thursday shipped Service Pack 1 for its Office Live Communications Server 2005. One of its key features is the ability for enterprises to connect their LCS installations with the AOL Instant Messenger, Yahoo Messenger and MSN Messenger IM networks.
The IM interoperability is being offered for an option called Public IM Connectivity, and its availability comes about nine months after Microsoft first announced plans to work with its IM competitors.
Other new features in LCS SP1 focus on security, taking aim at IM worms by allowing for the blocking of URLs and filtering out IM spam, also known as "spim", Microsoft announced. The update also provides enhancements in the way enterprises can directly federate multiple instances of LCS in order to communicate with partners and other companies.