##### USING Basic GENESYS Desktop Functions > handling Instant Message sessions

# Handling Instant Message Sessions Overview

Instant Messaging is real-time two-way communication between you and your contact through your computer.

Genesys Desktop supports both Multimedia Chat and SIP Instant Messaging.

The interfaces for Multimedia Chat and SIP Instant Messaging are similar, but there are slight differences.

When you login to Genesys Desktop you may have one or both of chat and Instant Messaging channels available to select. Consult with your system administrator if you do not know which type of chat/IM to use.

During an Instant Message session, you and your contact type in the Instant Message Window Interface, and the window maintains a scrolling list of the written correspondence. The text that you and your contact type appears both on your Instant Message window and on your contact's Instant Message window. A keyboard icon is displayed beside the contact's name when he or she is typing.

You can also:

- Dial a phone number if it appears in the transcript area.

- Dial any phone number in a drop-down list that is in the Make Call button on the Contact tab. Select a number from the drop-down window that is displayed.

Additional sub topics:

- Instant Message Session Window Interface

- Handling an Instant Message Session

- Creating a New Outgoing Instant Message