Suggestions for a Messaging System for a Small Office?

[Capt Joe]

Our son and DIL are moving one of their offices and want to set up a messaging system to use internally within the office.
I'm thinking about just running a DSL in to the office with a LynkSys router and WIFI on all the computers with MSN Live, Yahoo Messanger or some other software.
Anybody have any other ideas as to another method of achieving the same type of system. Any recommendations as to the best messinging system...Yahoo, Live, etc.
Thanks,

[FLYTYER]

Another choice is just set up a hard wired LAN...difficult.

The Linksys router should be a wireless router. For security purposes in the Linksys router setup use MAC address protection, access passwords, and hide the SSID name from being transmitted.

As for messaging all are good, but then there is "voice" like we did it before computers, email, messaging and texting

[FlyingDiver]

Can you be more specific about what kind of "messaging" you want?

A hard-wired LAN is not difficult to set up, unless you need to go through walls. If all the computers and the router are in the same room, just run the ethernet wires. Wired ethernet is MUCH faster than wireless, which is a good thing if you're accessing a file or media server.

joe

[John Hilley]

This is a good product Outlook Messenger

[JCM]

If it is a realy small office, one could stand up and yell.

[Capt Joe]

Thanks for the replies. Sorry for the delay in my response but we are out of town for the weekend and have just gotten to a 'hotspot' to check on things.

The messenging we need is for interoffice communications such as notification of appointment changes, new clients, client arrivals, general interoffice news, etc, etc. It is in a pediatric clinic and they many times need to relay this info while the therapist are busy with a client and want it to be there when they finish their session without having to disturb them.

I'll look at the Outlook Messenger again tomorrow.

Thanks again,

[John Hilley]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Capt Joe Thanks for the replies. Sorry for the delay in my response but we are out of town for the weekend and have just gotten to a 'hotspot' to check on things. The messenging we need is for interoffice communications such as notification of appointment changes, new clients, client arrivals, general interoffice news, etc, etc. It is in a pediatric clinic and they many times need to relay this info while the therapist are busy with a client and want it to be there when they finish their session without having to disturb them. I'll look at the Outlook Messenger again tomorrow. Thanks again,

I manage the IT for an orthopedic clinic and Outlook Messenger is what I installed. It is a clinic with 6 doctors. We also use it to communicate with off site transcriptionists. For more information PM me.

John

[Capt Joe]

Thanks for the suggestions, folks. Got the network set-up and, for the time being anyway, have just downloaded the Microsoft Live Messenger for them to use. Right now, all they really want to do is pass messages concerning appointments, scheduling, notes and memos so the Live program seems to do all that very well. Will pass on some of the suggestions made so they can explore other options as time goes on. But, currently, they are operational.
Thanks Again,

[John Hilley]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Capt Joe Thanks for the suggestions, folks. Got the network set-up and, for the time being anyway, have just downloaded the Microsoft Live Messenger for them to use. Right now, all they really want to do is pass messages concerning appointments, scheduling, notes and memos so the Live program seems to do all that very well. Will pass on some of the suggestions made so they can explore other options as time goes on. But, currently, they are operational. Thanks Again,

I think you should re-evaluate using Live Messenger. With a medical practice you have to stay within HIPA guidelines. I know from over 30 years experience with medical offices, once they start using something it is hard to wean them away from it. It is better to not let them use unsecure email and messaging. I don't know if they have a Practice Management and EMR on the same network, but if they do you are really making it vulnerable.