IBM's competition with Microsoft escalated a bit this week with Big Blue's announcement that its Lotus Sametime 7.5 instant messenger (IM) program would be able to connect with popular chat programs such as AOL Instant Messenger, Yahoo Messenger and Google Talk, reports the Financial Times. Though business chat has grown in importance, adoption has been slow because of compatibility, security and compliance issues. IBM claims it has some 15 million IM customers.

IBM and Microsoft have been locked in fierce competition in the business collaboration market, with Outlook/Exchange competing with Lotus.

PC Pro points out that IBM's agreements with other IM suppliers would make Sametime 7.5 capable of interacting with ICQ and Apple iChat as well - and adds that recent announcements suggest many IM users will be able by year's end to communicate with those on other platforms.