Reuters launched its new messaging service today. The global information, news and technology group hails Reuters Messaging as a reliable, high security and high-speed instant messaging service developed specifically for the financial services industry.

Around 1100 companies in 84 countries have already signed up for the service.

Developed in partnership with Microsoft, the service meets the specific business security and compliance requirements of financial institutions, including regulatory requirements to store and audit all messages.

Commenting on the launch in a news release, Ivano Togni, managing director of J.P. Morgan Chase said,

“We continue to pursue innovative ways to communicate more effectively with our customers, counterparties and colleagues. We expect that deploying Reuters instant messaging will provide one avenue to deliver on our leadership promise,” said J.P. Morgan Chase managing director Ivano Togni in a news release.

The service allows financial professionals to instantly communicate with their colleagues and customers. Users can access a network of contacts via the service directory and see when each other are online and available to do business. In addition, users can hold one on one or group conversations with their contacts.

Reuters Messaging is based on the open, industry standard Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) enabling it to be easily integrated into the terminals and systems financial professionals use to do business. It should work with any Microsoft Windows desktop. Reuters will integrate the service into its premium desktop services, Reuters 3000 Xtra, Reuters Bridgestation and within ReutersPlus. Reuters will also work with customers who wish to integrate the service into their own in-house or customer facing systems.

“Our partnership with Reuters is another example of Microsoft’s commitment to developing technologies that serve the financial services sector,” said Steve Ballmer, CEO of Microsoft in the news release.

Reuters Messaging has already been rolled out across the Reuters Group. Over 15,000 staff members are using it to communicate with customers and reach their colleagues around the globe.

Some of the companies already signed up to Reuters Messaging include:

> ABN Amro
> Cantor Market Data
> Creditex
> Deutsche Asset Management
> Dresdner Kleinwort Wasserstein
> Dresdner RCM Global Investors
> JP Morgan Chase
> LoanX
> Silvercrest Asset
> Management Group
> Saigon Thuong Tin Commercial JS Bank
> Thomas Weisel Partners
> UBS Global Asset Management
> Vanguard
> Vietnam Export Bank