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IN MANY companies, IM (instant messaging) tools are joining
e-mail applications as a common medium for delivering real-time information
to business partners and colleagues. Both types of collaboration tools are
great for disseminating information, although they have their respective
shortcomings. E-mail messages and their attachments tend to get buried, and
although consumer-level IM/chat tools are great for exchanging impromptu
messages, the valuable knowledge swapped during a chat session is not readily
accessible by all who might benefit from it once the session ends.
An enterprise-level collaboration tool such as MindAlign 4.0 alleviates these
problems by bringing together globally dispersed organizations in the form of
business communities. Sometimes mistaken for being too similar to IM
competitors such as America Online Instant Messenger and Lotus Sametime,
MindAlign provides a secure, internally controlled solution for collaborating
on specific topics. The tool also archives the information for later
retrieval and continued discussion. Unlike users of AOL Instant Messenger,
users of MindLink cannot, by default, collaborate with MindLink users at
other organizations. Using the PortalLink module, however, a company can
grant access to those outside the organization.
MindAlign is a client/server application that runs on Sun Solaris Server and
Windows clients. Version 4.0, which shipped in March, boasts some interface
enhancements and new features such as contact lists, presence messages, an
auditorium channel, and most importantly BackChat, which automatically
archives content by date, time, and channel.
Priced significantly higher than products such as Sametime, MindAlign has
limited platform support. Nevertheless, its support for collaborative team
environments makes it a collaboration tool worth considering.
MindAlign sets itself apart by allowing users to post files and links and log
entire conversations for continued collaboration, which increases an
organization's shared knowledge. In addition, MindAlign provides a secure
environment by putting content control in the hands of IT staff. Users can be
authenticated either using MindAlign or Windows NT, with which administrators
can incorporate existing directories.
For our testing, Parlano representatives installed MindAlign in the Test
Center lab as they would for their customers, even though the installation
was fairly straightforward. The user can easily install the client by
connecting to the server via a Web browser, registering, and downloading the
application.
Although some tasks, such as account management, are carried out using a Web
browser, the small, downloadable client is required for actual collaboration.
Parlano could improve the product by providing either a single interface or a
choice of the two, which company officials are considering for future
releases.
MindAlign is straightforward and easy to use. Administrators have the
flexibility to register users or set up the tool so that users can register
themselves.
Any user can create a channel and manage its access privileges, such as
making a channel public or limiting access. The channels are for conducting
ongoing discussions, organized by topic, and are accessible by users in the
system. Moreover, the creator of the channel can decide whether information
exchanged via the channel will be logged for future reference. After our
users registered, for example, we created channels for product launches, human
resources, and technology issues.
Three different types of channels can be created with MindAlign: group
channels, filtered channels, and private channels. Group channels provide a
permanent space for individuals to collaborate and share ideas, along with
documents, alerts, and messages. The information can be stored for future
search and retrieval, thereby increasing the knowledge shared throughout the
company. Unlike users of consumer IM products, members of a MindAlign channel
can view previously exchanged documents and past conversations on that
channel.
Filtered channels scan the content of other channels for particular topics.
Filters can be set for specific criteria such as user names and specific
content. Users receive automatic alerts when one of the predetermined topics
arises. Private channels are used for one-on-one conversations.
MindAlign, like other IM tools, offers contact lists with presence messages
such as "Online" or "Away from desk," alerting users to
the status of their would-be correspondents. Whereas other IM tools allows
users to send files to one another, MindAlign takes this feature a step
further by storing the files on the server. Users with access privileges to
the associated channel can search the server and retrieve those files.
MindAlign can be integrated into an organization's business process with some
customization. Branding tools are available at an extra cost for modifying
interface features such as colors, fonts, and company logos. Parlano can
develop structured input screens to further enhance the MindAlign experience.
Real-time messaging is difficult with e-mail, and a team environment is
lacking in standard IM products. MindAlign brings real-time messaging to a
higher level where information can be shared in a community of individuals
and stored for future access and retrieval.
Lori
Mitchell, a free-lance writer, covers Internet collaboration tools and can
chat instantly at LoriMitch2001@yahoo.com or Lrmitchell@netscape.net.
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BOTTOM LINE
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MindAlign 4.0 
BUSINESS
CASE
This collaboration tool helps organizations improve knowledge sharing
among dispersed groups by storing exchanged information for future
retrieval.
TECHNOLOGY
CASE
MindAlign 4.0 requires minimal IT support. It runs on a Sun Solaris
server, and users can maintain their own communities using a Windows
client and a Web browser.
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PROS
+ Searchable chat history
+ Unlimited persistent communities
+ Flexible filtering capability
+ Document posting feature
CONS
- Expensive
- Requires two separate interfaces
- Limited platform support
PLATFORM
INFO
Server: Sun Ultra Sparc II/III 300MHz running Solaris 2.6; client:
Windows 95/98/2000, Windows NT
COST
$40,000 for the server, $125 per user; branding tools cost extra
COMPANY
Parlano Inc., www.parlano.com
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