Before the development of instant messaging, people utilized mobile networks extensively to transmit messages via the fee-based Short Message Service (SMS). Likely in this particular period, people witnessed the evolution of texts. The bill charges have been known to be as good as the distance in cases where a message transaction was between states or countries; in fact, the charges were based on the number of words used in the message, so the body of the message was limited to a minimum of words. And moreover, sending an audio or video message was a nightmare job and a time-consuming process, for which people had to rely solely on email services.
Most people are erroneous in their belief that BlackBerry Messenger (BBM) started instant messaging because it was established before WhatsApp. However, contrary to popular belief, the evolution of texts began with its first stage much earlier, in the 1960s.
A multi-user operating system called Compatible Time-Sharing System (CTSS), developed at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), could only support 30 users and had the barest of privileges, such as the ability to login and send messages, where instant messages initially made its debut.
Various timelines relating to the evolution of texts
- In 1988, Internet Relay Chat (IRC) made group and one-on-one chats available to people with computers connected to the internet.
- The first SMS message to wish a “Merry Christmas” was sent on the Vodafone network in the UK in 1992.
- In 1996, the Israeli business Mirabilis provided private and group conversations and users’ ability to share files and do user searches.
- AOL introduced American Instant Messenger (AIM) in 1997 with a brand-new feature called “buddy list,” which allowed users to display their creative screen names and view the online status of their friends. AIM maintained its position for a few years with 53 billion users in the Northern American market.
- Yahoo introduced Yahoo Messenger in 1998, but only for its members.
- Microsoft introduced MSN Messenger in 1999, and AOL and Yahoo Messenger quickly saw it as a rival. It got to the point in 2005 that at least 2.5 billion communications were sent and received every day.
- In 2000, instant messaging (IM) entered a new league where users could make video calls, share photographs using mobile internet, and employ smartphone technologies.
- In 2003, Skype provided its users with internet access, video calling, voice calling, and instant messaging.
- BlackBerry introduced BlackBerry Messenger (BBM) in 2005, enabling users to make voice and video calls and send messages immediately.
- Facebook introduced Facebook chat in 2008, which later changed to Facebook Messenger, allowing users to chat with the friends they have added to their social network profile.
How does Instant Messaging help Businesses?
Even the evolution of business communication is fascinating and merits more study for future generations.
In the modern world, any customer, whether a small or large business, wants communication with the company. Since everyone can communicate, customers wouldn’t ridicule it and spend their time submitting reviews or complaints on businesses’ websites or official pages. Consequently, small business owners were compelled to adapt to the instant messaging option.
Initially, businesses had to rely on social chat apps for internal communication with their employees. They eventually realized that it was inadequate for their needs, so they started using team chat apps like Troop Messenger for business communications, where they discovered many advantages compared to social chat apps.
Businesses have integrated chat APIs in their web apps for communicating with their customers and for external communication. Since it has become necessary to engage with visitors and potential customers, as well as to address inquiries of current customers, both large and small businesses have started using chat APIs & SDKs. Businesses established loyalty programs because instant messaging helped them engage existing customers and onboard new customers.
How does Instant Messaging improve work productivity?
With the above said, you must be sure to use an instant messaging tool free of latency issues. Instant messaging improves team collaboration like never before.
People management skills expert: “The first step to the efforts of having teamwork makes the dreamwork you have to make your team communicate seamlessly without any discrimination of seniority, position, and experience levels.” Team members are better capable of overcoming barriers to information sharing as a direct result of enhanced communication, which increases their effectiveness and efficiency.
As was already noted, if your team members could communicate easily utilizing instant messaging software or in-person, they wouldn’t need to wait or consume their productive time looking for solutions to problems and stroll around aimlessly. All they need is an expert’s opinion which they can discover from their fellow team members or colleagues.
Moreover, people who are comfortable with one another are more likely to share information with pleasure and without a feeling of favor or the need to spend their time spoon-feeding others. With such an extent of team collaboration, you can run your operations smoothly and improve work productivity.
How has Troop Messenger embraced Instant Messaging?
Troop Messenger was established in 2017, but it didn’t take long for it to grow recognized as one of the finest communication tools because of the capabilities and impeccable functionalities it provides to its users, making their workflow simple and facilitating effective communication across various teams.
Troop Messenger may be seamlessly adapted to any organization or industry. Business owners can, however, use the customization feature to provide suggestions, and the tool will be developed to meet their demands.
Troop Messenger has a mission of empowering its users. Thus the team actively studies market trends and adds new or distinctive features in every single release that adhere to both present and future needs and aren’t present in any of the now widely used and popular communication tools. Users no longer have to rely on a different tool in the future for their needs.
How secure is Troop Messenger compared to other Instant Messaging Tools?
Unless your data and communication are secured, no matter how ever your business is successful with its products or services, you are on the verge of sabotaging your entire operations and the reputation of your business.
Troop Messenger employs top-notch security protocols to stop these terrible occurrences and make it impossible for hackers and vandals to access your data. To highlight, this instant messaging tool is being used as the official communication channel by defense agencies, space stations, political organizations, large corporations, and others. You’ll have to use your imagination to determine how secure Troop Messenger is going forward.
With that said, this office chat app provides every functionality with a business in this digital age needs. Teams can start audio/video conferences, screen sharing, remote access, live location tracking, and other functionalities with just a few clicks, in addition to chat, file sharing, one-on-one, and group audio/video calls. Many businesses switched to this tool during the pandemic because of its features and security protocols. They found their previous tools inadequate for meeting requirements and protecting data while working remotely.
Conclusion
In the same way, you need an effective sword and armor to win the battle; a good team and an effective set of tools are essential for a business’s success.
Never make the mistake of settling for subpar communication tools, as this will cause your stated instant messaging to become delayed messaging. Be advised to select the best team collaboration tool to boost your work productivity while also embracing team communication.
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Do you wish to learn more about the evolution of texts and how instant messaging benefits businesses? Read this blog for more information alongside a recommended tool.
Author Bio
Md. Asloob Alam is a Senior B2B Sales & Digital Marketing Manager at Geekschip, establishing, developing, and maintaining relationships with prospective clients. He also enjoys researching and writing about how a company can optimize its work processes through technology, to ensure the best possible customer satisfaction, while saving time and money.
Feel free to connect with him on LinkedIn.
