"Email archiving is a key IT responsibility these days, thanks to increased use of data in corporate litigation. Now, instant messages from corporate BlackBerries are getting the same scrutiny. And more suppliers are looking to help companies make sure they're covered.

"Many IT managers have not been able to monitor or archive workers' text messages, leaving financial institutions and other organizations vulnerable to compliances issues and fines, as well as loss of intellectual property," said Don Montgomery, VP of marketing at Akonix, an IM policy management software vendor based in San Diego, in a statement.

Another supplier takes a slightly different angle: "Sure, companies need compliance. But often it's about sex -- who's having sex with whom!" says Richard Bliss, VP of marketing at GWAVA, a Montreal-based supplier of products focused mainly on Novell GroupWise environments.

Read more here.