WebEx Testing Corporate AIM Client

Delivering the first fruits of its February partnership with AOL, WebEx has released a beta version of the AIM Pro Business Edition service. The software, designed for large corporations, follows AOL's release of the standard AIM Pro beta that is targeted at small to mid-size businesses.

WebEx AIM Pro Business Edition enables corporations to deploy and manage a company-wide IM infrastructure based upon AOL's Triton platform. It supports the standard AIM communication features, while adding online meetings and live demonstrations with desktop sharing using technology from WebEx.

Like the standard AIM Pro, Business Edition delivers added security over Triton with message encryption, along with the voice and video capabilities offered by the WebEx MediaTone Network.

The software will connect with AOL AIM, ICQ and Apple iChat users, as well as business-oriented IM clients through the AIM Clearinghouse service. The new client also integrates with Outlook to enable users to see their instant messages, calendar and e-mails in one place.

"While others are moving consumer service-based technologies onto a server, WebEx is delivering the best of both worlds by delivering the security, compliance and centralized administration controls of enterprise instant messaging with the reach, flexibility and scale of on-demand instant messaging, creating a cost-effective, zero-maintenance EIM solution," a WebEx representative told BetaNews.

WebEx has opened beta registrations for AIM Pro Business Edition, which is currently a free download. The company hasn't yet announced pricing or release specifics for the service.