Extended Description

Instant Messenger (IM) is a freely downloadable service that allows two or more users to have real-time conversations with one another from devices (e.g. PCs, PDAs, Mobile Phones etc.) with IM software installed on them. IM is fast becoming the communications medium of choice for citizens and businesses alike because of the merits of the technology such as the ability to instantly view a person’s availability and subsequently initiate an instant communications session with them as well as the ability to access contacts from any device on any network infrastructure. It is predicted that there will be 670 Million users by 2008, according to Radacati (IT Facts, Radicati Group, June 2004).

The IMPRUVE project will change the way users interact with people, services and devices. IMPRUVE will allow users communicate with services and devices over pre-existing Instant Messaging (IM) infrastructures, through readily available and popular IM clients. The goal of the project is to facilitate the efficient creation and deployment of “Real-Time Hypermedia Services” (RHymeS) on an Instant Messaging Information Server (IMIS) and to provide access to these services over this new and exciting channel.

Instant Messaging Information Server (IMIS) is a technology developed by the IMPRUVE Team to create and deploy IM based services. IMIS uses the metaphor of the “buddy” or IM contact to simplify and provide universal access to IM services. An IM enabled service is a next generation communications service that is made available over one or more IM provider networks (e.g. MSN, Google etc. and those that utilise standards such as SIP and XMPP). Accessing IM enabled services is an intuitive process for existing IM users as they can be communicated with in the same way as with human contacts i.e. utilising the buddy contact list and standard instant text messaging. Similarly services can utilise the inherent features of IM to alert users instantly and notify users of their current status via their display name on the IM contact list.