StatusNet is an Open Source microblogging system that gives you Twitter-like functionality with the ability to run it behind a firewall on your network. The most noteworthy features of StatusNet include:

• Shallow learning curve: StatusNet uses many of the same concepts and syntax from Twitter so if you're familiar with that microblogging system it should be very easy for you to adopt this system.
• Run it securely on your network: You can run it entirely behind your corporate firewall and block access to the public Internet making it as secure as your internal network.
• Extensible: StatusNet has a plugin architecture that allows anyone to write add-ons that extend its functionality.
• Sync it with a Twitter account: It's possible to link your StatusNet system with Twitter and have one drive the other.
• Access it via multiple methods: SMS, email, instant messenger and native desktop clients are all supported as alternative UI's to the web interface.
• Hashtags, Search, Favorites and Groups: Various means exist for sorting, searching and tracking topics and individuals in the system giving you ultimate flexibility in how your choose to monitor information.

Twitter often is perceived with a negative stigma when talking about work productivity. But StatusNet gives you the beneficial awareness and presence advantages of using a microblogging system that you control on your terms. Try it yourself using the Cloud Gear service.