ShopTalk is an application that aims to make professional collaboration an easier task.

ShopTalk lets different members of a team chat with each other in a setting which is both private and secure.

One of the best aspects of the whole service is that it enables users to employ tabbed chat rooms. i.e. a person who is in more than one department/curriculum area/faculty etc., within the same organisation will be able to take part in different chat rooms at the same time should that be necessary. Activity in each room is flagged by highlighting Room Tabs, so that users don't not have to check manually every five seconds to see if someone has posted a message.

Every session is stored so there is no need to write down anything which has been talked about within the chat room. Simply refer to the conversation and the relevant exchange of information will be found.

Note: This service can be used for free during the provided free beta. So, if you want to know whether a tool like this one is what your organisation needs in order to channel its productivity, now is the perfect time for finding it out.

I've experimented briefly and, along with the default Lobby, have set up two 'Project Room'; I've invited colleagues and we have...

• chatted
• shared documents (Images are displayed and hyperlinks are included for participants to download docs) and
• switched from room to room

Feedback has been very positive and I can see great potential for those who wish to communicate with staff or learners who are spread far and wide.

Find out more and/or sign up at http://shoptalkapp.com/.