The quarterly publication of the International Legal Technology Association
Issue link: https://epubs.iltanet.org/i/657874
48 PEER TO PEER: THE QUARTERLY MAGAZINE OF ILTA | SPRING 2016 IM is typically integrated with "presence," which shows in real time if an individual is available for communication. IM is particularly beneficial for organizations that link their IM systems with their external clients (using the appropriate security and risk management safeguards). This allows aorneys to be virtually "in the room" with the client at the moment an idea is generated. This technology has its critics, and you should take into account potentially negative considerations. Since IM has not been universally adopted like telephones and email, its effectiveness as a means of collaboration and communications can be reduced if some people cannot participate in the discussion. As we saw with email when it was in its infancy, different IM systems do not always allow communications between each other. There are also security considerations as to whether all sides on an IM conversation know if the communication is being saved and if the communication link is secure from eavesdropping. In the office environment, IM provides another choice in the menu of options available for communication between two or more parties, bridging the gap between the delays associated with email and the real-time benefits of a phone call or in-person visit. IM has its positives and negatives, but this is a technology you should look to implement in your environment. The Good, the Bad and the Real IM platforms have grown from being real-time, text- based communications to a suite of products that includes voice, video, content-sharing and whiteboard collaboration on desktop and mobile devices. Those who integrate this technology into their workflow can beer collaborate when physical or geographical boundaries limit face-to-face, ad hoc communications. The real-time nature of IM means that questions can be answered quickly, and unnecessary cluer in email systems is reduced. Like many modern communication technologies, instant messaging (IM) started out in the youth consumer space but is now prevalent in corporations and growing in the legal arena. Instant Messaging for Your Firm by Dean Leung