Microsoft plans to include APIs for writing advanced instant-messaging apps in the upcoming Windows.Net server, and may build a separate real-time collaboration server to manage them. Two application program interfaces and a communications update to TCP/IP are scheduled to appear in beta 3 of Windows.Net server, due in November. With them, IT departments and independent software developers could build apps that let workers send instant messages that are encrypted, securely hosted, and allow for more sophisticated types of file transfer than is available today in Microsoft environments, according to Microsoft execs. By including these APIs and bundling in its SharePoint Team Services software for online project management with Windows, Microsoft hopes to make the operating system more appealing to IT departments.