WiredRed's e/pop platforms are designed for enterprises that need secure, internal-use-only presence and messaging services with rich capabilities such as remote control and application sharing. While e/pop offers a full range of features on both the client and server sides—including some unique touches, such as message macros—its inability to interoperate with public IM networks may prove a limitation.

Auditing and Reporting: The separate e/pop Audit and Reporting Server ($4,000 for 100 users) does auditing and reporting, with support for the SEC and NASD regulatory requirements.

Security: WiredRed offers an especially wide range of encryption options, including AES, DES, Triple DES, RC4, and RSA.

IM Features: The e/pop IM client differs from most in that person-to-person IMs seem like e-mails: Messages include a subject line and are organized in an in-box and out-box. We like that e/pop's IM messages can include features such as buttons to reply with a single click, as well as e/pop's support for message macros and network broadcasts. The e/pop client includes app sharing, remote control, voice conferencing, and multiuser chat (with optional moderation). We tested with the native Windows client, but a Java client is also available.

Interoperability and Integration: e/pop does not interoperate with public IM networks.

Management and Administration: e/pop's server console gives administrators a straightforward GUI-based way to manage users, groups, and profiles; directory integration; licensing; archiving; and auditing.