AOL-WebEx love-in aims to make IM pay

AOL is expected on Tuesday to launch two new versions of the company's instant messaging service, which are designed specifically for businesses.

In a partnership with web-conferencing leader WebEx Communications, AOL is launching the tentatively named AIM Pro. One AIM Pro package will target small businesses and the self-employed, while another is intended to appeal to larger companies. Both will differ from the free AIM service by offering a customised interface, additional security, voice, video and web collaboration capabilities, the companies said in a statement.

Brian Curry, AOL vice president of Premium and Subscription Services, said: "We are extremely pleased to be working with WebEx to offer at-work users a customised AIM experience that works in a professional environment and addresses today's business communications needs."

This is AOL's latest attempt to cash in on the popularity of its AIM service. What remains to be seen is whether the new applications can entice companies to pay for instant messaging. Google, Microsoft and Yahoo! also offer free IM services.

AOL pioneered instant messaging more than a decade ago, and owns 56 per cent of the worldwide market share, according to research company the Radicati Group.

But AOL has had to fend off increasing competition from the next two biggest competitors in the sector: Microsoft and Yahoo!. The companies announced in October that they would for the first time allow their customers to communicate across IM platforms. The combined customer base of Microsoft and Yahoo! equals 44 per cent of the market.

Greg Sandoval writes for CNET News.com