SocialIM Launches Instant-Messaging App For Online Communities

SocialIM.com launched on Wednesday an instant-messaging desktop client for organizations that want to offer real-time communications to members of an online community.

SocialIM is targeting its namesake product at trade groups, professional associations, faith-based organizations and any other group whose membership forms a social network. The application enables organizations to provide online communications among members, as well as a mechanism to deliver advertising and content, such as videos, music downloads or software.

Social IM can be installed as a standalone network, or interoperate with other consumer instant-messaging services, the Wayne, Penn., company said. The software, which can be custom branded, plugs into existing Web infrastructures, and its menus, buttons, functions and links are configurable.

SocialIM customers include digital music store BurnLounge; Babbello.com, Australia's largest social network; Disney's ABC Radio Network; Fantasy Sports Network's FantasyIM; Campus IM for the MyCampusIM product; and search engine Netster.

Pricing starts at $250 a month for up to 5,000 active users, and $500 a month for up to 35,000 users. Depending on the customization options, customers can deploy the services within one business day, company officials said.