AOL hops back into business IM

America Online is developing a version of its instant messaging service for workplace use, an attempt to fortify the consumer-oriented AIM with the security, collaboration, and IT management features that businesses require.

Developed with WebEx Communications, the new AIM Pro on-demand service will be available in the second quarter.

AIM is designed for personal use, but many workplaces have adopted it, causing security and compliance headaches for IT departments.

AIM Pro will come in two editions. The Professional version is for individuals at work and SMBs. The Enterprise version is for large organizations and comes with IT administration tools. Both will link up with enterprise directory services and calendars and will allow users to launch conference calls, conduct online meetings, chat using video and VoIP, and share desktops. Both will also encrypt sessions and provide auditing, logging, and regulatory compliance features.

The new offering packs a good set of workgroup collaboration and enterprise-grade features that make it suitable for business use, particularly for SMBs, said Michael Osterman, president of Osterman Research.

AIM Pro isn’t AOL’s first foray into the enterprise. In 2004, AOL launched AIM Business Services, a suite that included looser integration with WebEx called AIM Web Meetings and allowed users to initiate an online meeting from their “buddy list.”

Shortly after launching AIM Business Services, AOL discontinued its IM gateway product, saying it didn’t want to be a software provider to enter­prises, preferring instead to partner with gateway vendors.