ioko Connect

ioko Connect is our range of collaboration solutions, spanning document (ioko Connect - Share), online (ioko Connect - Live), offline (ioko Connect - Groove) and integrated communication collaboration (ioko Connect - LCS). ioko Connect is split into individual collabration offerings, which can be provided as a whole or as individual components. 

What is ioko Connect - LCS?

In simple terms LCS provides a corporate-class instant messaging service, much like MSN Messenger. Unlike Messenger however it is secure, manageable and auditable, removing the commercial and legal risks associated with unmanaged chat clients and thereby opening up the potential to access the powerful benefits of this communication tool. Furthermore this can be connected with most traditional telephony exchanges or VOIP systems to provide fully integrated, scaleable communications.

For anyone unfamiliar with Messenger, it provides a simple to use window through which to type real time conversations with other users. The advantages of this are that it is a low-bandwidth activity both from the technical definition and also in terms of personal communications; it is quite possible to engage in multiple conversations at once. This technology also allows many people to participate in the same conversation, thereby providing the typing equivalent of a conference call.

One of the most powerful aspects, however, is the ability to enrich the conversation by sharing applications, by transferring files etc. If the conversation needs to become richer still then both voice and video are supported, allowing a conversation to scale up and down appropriately.

A final “killer feature” is the concept of ‘presence’. Scattered liberally throughout the latest Microsoft Information Worker applications (Word, SharePoint, Outlook etc.) are little people icons – looking like coloured chess piece pawns. These change colour to indicate whether the individual associated with an email address, content owner, page author etc. is currently online and a click on the icon provides ways that you can interact with him or her – from finding their telephone number through to arranging a meeting or firing up a chat/voice/video session. Users have the option to set their status, avoiding unwanted interruptions or even appearing offline if desired.

Why would anyone want it

Anyone who has used this technology knows how powerful it can be, especially where teams and collaborators are geographically dispersed.

Users can configure who they allow to make contact (and by what mechanism) and can group their contacts to represent the teams they are in, social groups etc.

As such it allows teams to see who else is “in the office” and whether they are free to call them etc. 

What does it cost

Costs vary and depend on your enterprise or other agreemetn with Microsoft. We can advise you as required, however a typical organisation needs the following:

Main server license

Office Live Communications Server Svr 2003 English

User or Device Licences

Office Live Communications Server Svr - CAL English Lic/SA Pack MVL User CAL (one per user)

or

Office Live Communications Server - CAL English Lic/SA Pack MVL Device CAL (one per device)