Instant messenger software in the workplace?

mr tommo · 15 Apr 2014 at 10:01

We have a small office at work with just 5 computers.

I wanted to set up an instant messaging program on each computer so that we can all communicate and easily send links & text etc. It needs to be able to hold a group chat and individual as well. (Like MSN or Skype but without all the sign ups etc)

I know I could just use skype but wondered if there was anything simpler that didn't require signing up and different staff use different computers throughout the day and I want messages to go from computer to computer.

rodenal · 15 Apr 2014 at 10:03

There's an office add on called communicator that's basically msn/skype.

Lets you screen share, send messages etc - no idea of cost though

OhEsEcks · 15 Apr 2014 at 10:04

Self hosted XMPP server and a jabber client of your preference.

Theophany · 15 Apr 2014 at 10:06

Office Communicator or Lync.

MookJong · 15 Apr 2014 at 10:07

Microsoft Lync is the main business solution these days, but for a team that size the setup would be overkill.

Skype would be fine unless you need to keep things local only.

How about something like this: http://lanmsngr.sourceforge.net/

linktoinsanity · 15 Apr 2014 at 10:14

We've set up Microsoft Lync for one or two of our clients.

Yaayuh! · 15 Apr 2014 at 10:24

We use Spark: http://www.igniterealtime.org/projects/spark/

You need a server to host Openfire though. It's free however.

Judgeneo · 15 Apr 2014 at 10:25

Use lync at the current place, the last place was only 8 people, so we just set up a pidgeon server

Deewon · 15 Apr 2014 at 10:51

We use Lync but for a small setup like that I would just go for one of the already suggested options like Skype or pidgeon with Gmail chat etc.

Deleted member 77746 · 15 Apr 2014 at 11:46

We use Microsoft Lync. You could even set up your own jabba server using Ubuntu server it's extremely easy to do so.

yashiro · 15 Apr 2014 at 17:02

http://lanmsngr.sourceforge.net/

mr tommo · 15 Apr 2014 at 18:36

Thanks for the suggestion guys, I will try skype out as it's free first if not will look into the others.

Jokester · 15 Apr 2014 at 18:43

We used to have Lync in our place, but it appears to have been turned off and replaced with something called Yammer.

Solaris · 30 Apr 2014 at 13:01

Hornbill just launched something that does similar. Free trial? http://www.hornbill.com/get-started/