@leah

#riot https://riot.im if you are interested in possible interactions with people outside your company or using their mobile apps, etc.

You can use your own #matrix.org instance

There are other matrix.org alternatives, if interested in communicate outside, not just inside (like #email, in fact).

@leah

And what have you asked for? if you can remember it... :-p

ps: #matrix.org is not a tool, but a protocol, like #irc ;-)

Nice to know your conclusions, if you REMEMBER them, once finished your research :-)

Ps I'm sorry, my English is not the best

I know some companies that use to use #slack to do what I understood your are asking for... #riot.im / matrix is a good #federate and free alternative.

@leah

OK, now I can undestand the FIRST part of your question... But your SECOND part:
"Oh and what chat software do you use?"
ask for tools (software), then I don't understand your:
"I really can't remember to have asked for tool recommendations."

Well, about internal communication at work, it depends mostly of thinks like how many workmates are you, 2, 20, 2,000? I like the "natural" way: use at first a generic channel and open more specific channels for a project, issue, etc.