Texting has become increasingly popular as a means of communication, but what about making it a formal tool for workplace communication?

Thanks for your invitation.I think Sir Vinod Jetley already gives complete answer and I want to add more mostly people hate typing or texting  thats why it is not useful.

You suggested, and I quote, "making it a formal tool for workplace communication".  I don't think it is a good idea.  I highlight the word 'formal' because this entails some legalities.  And, if you talk about legal matters, you need to have them appropriately and accurately documented.  Most of all, a formal communication or agreement should be binding.  A text message cannot be binding because it can be erased anytime, at the discretion of the receiver.

I suppose you only mean, "making it a COMMON tool for workplace communication".  This case is rather acceptable.  In fact, many employees have been using it to communicate with each other for convenience. It is quick.

Mobile phones and text messages are part of our every day lives now. Not only is sending a text message often considerably cheaper than any other sort of communication including mailshots but it is also instant. Clients and customers can quickly be informed of changes or information, without the need to immediately reply and you can keep in touch with people in an informal manner. Don’t let texting replace other methods of communication – after all a face to face meeting or phone call is far more personal and will help build rapport better than a text message ever can but it is still a valuable communication tool.

AM AGREED WITH SARA,,,, TEXTING IS A BIG PROBLEM FOR ME,,, I HATE IT TO READ & WRITE ,,, BECAUSE I HAVE TO CARRY MY READING GLASSES ALWAYS.......  

Good Day!!!

Agreed to Ms. Nila Eslit .......... Emailing is still and will be the best communication tool and is considered as more reliable and authentic.

#1- Texting is fast- direct phone to phone communication and does not have to go through a server like email does. Therefore it is delivered to the recipient faster than email and can be answered quicker too. Texting can be used like a conversation with its fast response time. Gen X and Y like to have less formal communication and texting works well for situations where you might need a quick answer about something either at the office or personally. Texting is not the best tool if you are trying to communicate something that is more complicated in that case an email or phone call would be more effective.

#2- Instant messaging is as close to having a face to face conversation using technology which is why you will see your teenager typing furiously on MSN, or Facebook Messaging or on their BBM (Blackberry Messaging). It is a speedy conversation tool and Gen X and Y tend to message while having to wait in a line or in class at school or in meetings at work. Many organizations feel that instant messaging is a distraction and yet other organizations see this form of communication as a great tool for inter office communication and for managing remote office locations.

#3- Smart phones make texting and instant messaging easier-when the Iphone4 came out one of its main features was the video function that allows you to see the other person you are calling. Skype allows you to see the person you are talking to and to hold group meetings where you can talk and also instant message.

For many Gen Y’s email is an antiquated form of communication- they see it as slow and inefficient. Boomers and Gen X have been using email as a primary tool because of the ability to attach documents and exchange information that can be stored. Communication tools such as Skype and BBM and Iphones all allow you to attach and forward pictures, videos and documents. In the next few years email will be used solely for communication that needs to be saved or stored and that all other communication will be via text, instant messaging, Skype and video phone. We need to be prepared to maximize these forms of communication for our businesses and workplaces.

From legal point of few, I agree with miss. Eslit. 

Besides, although it is easy and quick, but it will kill the human interaction in your workplace. Of course you can use it, but it should not replace the face to face messaging system. 

It's a very good idea. I like it.

I personally use it to send a text message to an employee in a meeting in case there is something I'd like them to know about.