FOSTER CITY, Calif., Aug. 6, 2002 -- FaceTime
Communications, the premier provider of network-independent instant
messaging (IM) applications for business, today announced an
expanded relationship with Microsoft Corp. as the first enterprise
software provider authorized to develop and deliver IM business
applications on the MSN Messenger Service. In addition, FaceTime's
IM Director family of products, including IMAuditor, Instant
Customer and IM Call Center, now support Microsoft's full suite of
.NET messaging solutions. This expanded relationship will ensure
network reliability, network privileges and investment protection
for enterprise customers using Microsoft IM networks. Microsoft and
FaceTime's agreement provides IT professionals, information
security managers and compliance officers the assurance, confidence
and controls they need to safely deploy strategic IM business
applications on any IM network without disruption from changes in
network protocols. In addition, users benefit by having single
points of contact for technical support and escalation paths for
both companies to ensure priority attention for users. "IDC notes
that 70% of firms have employees performing work-related activities
using either business IM or consumer IM services," according to
Robert Mahowald, research manager with IDC. "These employees are
communicating with one another and with external partners,
suppliers, or other colleagues using business IM or public IM
networks such as MSN. IDC believes that firms who want to continue
using consumer IM services for business activities should protect
their investments by working with IM application providers that are
authorized to develop and deliver solutions on these networks."
"Consumers and enterprises want to use instant messaging to reach
friends, family, and customers respectively," said Blake Irving,
Vice President, MSN and Personal Services. "MSN Messenger is a
premier instant messaging service that consumers are using around
the world. With FaceTime, a leader in network-independent messaging
applications, MSN will be able to extend our Messenger service to
those in a networked enterprise environment." "Enterprise IT
organizations require that deploying applications to provide
management control for IM networks are not subjecting the
enterprise to costly service interruptions caused by unauthorized
access to IM networks," said Glen D. Vondrick, FaceTime's President
and CEO. "FaceTime's unique, authorized partnerships with the major
IM network providers, including our long-term relationship with
Microsoft, enable our customers to receive the highest level of
support required to feel comfortable safely deploying strategic
business applications on public or business IM networks. We are
delighted that Microsoft has selected FaceTime as an authorized MSN
network access partner to develop solutions that run on all
Microsoft IM networks." FaceTime's unique technology advantage, IM
expertise, and ability to provide customers with authorized
application access and integration to any network, enables the
company to deliver practical, value-add solutions on multiple IM
network infrastructures for regulatory compliance,
business-to-business, business-to-customer and call center
communication.
About Actiance, Inc. (Formerly FaceTime Communications, Inc.)
FaceTime Communications became Actiance, Inc on January 11, 2011 following an agreement to
transfer the FaceTime trademark to Apple.
FaceTime Communications enables the safe and productive use of Unified Communications and Web 2.0,
including instant messaging, blogs and social networking. Ranked number one by IDC for five consecutive
years, FaceTime's award-winning solutions are used by more than 1,500 customers for the security,
management and compliance of real-time communications. FaceTime supports or has strategic partnerships
with all leading IM, unified communications providers and social networks including AOL, Google, Yahoo!,
Skype, Microsoft, IBM, Cisco, Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter.
FaceTime is headquartered in Belmont, California. For more information visit
http://www.facetime.com or call 888-349-3223.
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