Abstract: In an Instant Messenger, a current state that is transmitted to other employees is selectable by user input, to be a first state identifying a given employee as working or a second state identifying the given employee as taking a break. A draft time card is automatically prepared for the given employee, by using a time at which the current state is set in the IM to the first state as a time of occurrence of a clock-in event in tracking time to be paid, or when it is set to the second state as a time of occurrence of a clock-out event. The draft time card is displayed to the given employee and finalized based on additional user input identifying any changes to periods of time in the draft time card, to obtain a finalized time card. The finalized time card is submitted to an accounting system, for payment.

Abstract: In an Instant Messenger, a current state that is transmitted to other employees is selectable by user input, to be a first state identifying a given employee as working or a second state identifying the given employee as taking a break. A draft time card is automatically prepared for the given employee, by using a time at which the current state is set in the IM to the first state as a time of occurrence of a clock-in event in tracking time to be paid, or when it is set to the second state as a time of occurrence of a clock-out event. The draft time card is displayed to the given employee and finalized based on additional user input identifying any changes to periods of time in the draft time card, to obtain a finalized time card. The finalized time card is submitted to an accounting system, for payment.

Abstract: A collaboration event framework can be used to schedule and automatically invoke a collaboration event. An event coordinator may schedule a collaboration event, and the framework will automatically initiate contact with event participants using participant contact preferences. Participants can be asked to enter an identifier to verify the participant's identity. An event coordinator may be presented with a display that indicates the status of participants of the collaboration event. A system administrator may review all scheduled collaboration events to determine resource shortages.

Abstract: A collaboration event framework can be used to schedule and automatically invoke a collaboration event. An event coordinator may schedule a collaboration event, and the framework will automatically initiate contact with event participants using participant contact preferences. Participants can be asked to enter an identifier to verify the participant's identity. An event coordinator may be presented with a display that indicates the status of participants of the collaboration event. A system administrator may review all scheduled collaboration events to determine resource shortages.