Previous page Industry executives said this week that while AOL's standoffishness is hurting consumers, the industry is still forging ahead. In particular, developers of corporate software are discovering the potential of IM as more than just something teenagers chat with. Lotus Development Corp. released its Sametime instant messaging product last year and has since linked its Notes R5 to the client. Both Novell and Lotus are using technology licensed from AOL . IM is really well suited to wireless messaging.
Retailers also see the appeal of instant messaging.
Several companies have released tools that let users chat with customer service reps through a text window on their Web sites. And FaceTime Communications has licensed AOL's client to develop a customer service application that allows consumers to chat with sales reps using their buddy lists. It's also used to allow vendors and suppliers to keep in touch with their customers, transferring data and other information. It's the presence information. You can see where a person is or if they're away or working.