In large organizations the person is likely "pinging" multiple people to see who is available to answer their question. This is deeply problematic because folks

In large organizations the person is likely "pinging" multiple people to see who is available to answer their question. This is deeply problematic because folks sitting next to each other look over, or comment on the usual suspect pinging each of them. This becomes an interruption for more than just folks on the end of the IM.