Bing-bong-bong-bing! it began with countless computer kids tapping out chiming instant messages to their pals. Now, in a classic case of adults playing techno-catch-up, America's workforce is fast discovering the benefits of instant messaging too. An estimated 20 million employees, representing half of all big U.S. companies, routinely fire off pop-up missives in lieu of cumbersome conference calls or e-mail—which now seems as plodding as a telegram. "This is no longer about teenagers and chat," says John Patrick, vice president for Internet technology at IBM, whose Lotus Development unit produces Sametime, the leading instant-messaging program for business use. "If I were to check right now," Patrick says, "there are probably 100 [instant-message] meetings going on all over IBM."
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