TechWatch: IM Management; Real-Time Backup; Ergonomic Keyboards

Even established technologies can be simplified and improved, be it IM, backup-and-recovery processes or the tried-and-true keyboard. These three offerings are new takes on old standbys.

Compliant IM

Instant messaging now embodies the way most business and government officials communicate within their organizations, and with external partners, customers and constituents. According to market researcher IDC, 28 million business users rely on IM, with 1 billion messages sent daily via enterprise networks. As a result, many are finding they need to better control its use, particularly in highly regulated industries. Jabber, a company that has taken the lead in forging the Extensible Messaging and Presence Protocol (XMPP), now offers an appliance that can help. Not much larger than an external hard drive, JabberNow is a box that connects to a corporate network intended for small and midsize customers. JabberNow lets customers control the use of IM by applying policies, such as data retention, while ensuring the identity of individuals. It is interoperable with any enterprise XMPP-based enterprise IM gateway, and the company will soon release a gateway to AOL's widely used public service.

Jabbernow, www.jabber.com Price: Starts at $2,495 for 25 users

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Real-Time Backup For All

Just about every major supplier of backup-and-recovery software has either released or is readying upgrades to their wares that support continuous data protection (CDP). In essence, using CDP ensures every keystroke is backed up either to another folder on a drive, to external storage media or to a network. IBM's Tivoli unit's recent entry--Continuous Data Protection for Files--backs up documents, images, MP3s, presentations and spreadsheets in real-time. Using a Web interface, the software is relatively straightforward and allows users to retrieve backup files on their own. It can be installed on PCs, laptops and file servers and is reasonably priced. It's going to be hard to imagine any PC without CDP software in the future, whether it's this product or recent entries from EMC and Symantec, among others. IBM has said future versions will be integrated with Tivoli SAN Manager.

IBM Tivoli Continuous Data Protection for Files, www.ibm.com Price: $35 per PC, $995 per server processor

A Comfy, Quiet Keyboard

Finding a keyboard that's quiet and ergonomic can be a challenge. Microsoft's Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000 introduces a new proprietary "gull wing" design that brings keys closer to one's fingers, encouraging a more natural typing position. An optional palm rest for a 7-degree reversed slope, a cushioned wrist rest and a 12-degree split also foster better wrist and arm alignment. For those who like to type but not hear the clicking of the keys, this keyboard fits the bill. Certified Microsoft Solution Providers can offer the company's keyboards to their line cards.

Microsoft's Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000, www.microsoft.com Price: $69