| Microsoft releases VoIP-enabled phone software |
Oct. 02, 2007
 Microsoft announced that its VoIP-enabled phone system software platform based on Windows XP Embedded has been released to manufacturing. "Response Point" supports both IP- and traditional analog-based telephony and will ship in production devices next month, according to the company.
(Click here for larger image of Quanta Syspine desktop phone)
 | Quanta Syspine base unit
(Click image to enlarge) |
Phone systems based on Response Point technology include a base unit (such as Quanta's Syspine shown at right) and multiple desktop phones (such as the Quanta model, shown at left), plus software.
First announced in March, Response Point implements a voice-activated user interface that, for example, allows users to reach anyone in their company directory or Outlook contact list simply by saying the name. Conversely, an "Automated Receptionist" answers incoming calls and routes them according to the caller's voice instructions, the company adds.
Microsoft says the overall system is easy to set up and maintain, and provides a user-friendly management console for accomplishing tasks such as configuring voicemail, defining call-handling preferences, and creating call distribution lists.
Touting the system's affordability for small business, Microsoft said in a statement that the Quanta system -- orderable on Oct. 5 and expected to be available in November -- will cost approximately $2,500 for a base unit and four phones. Additional phones will be $159 each, according to Microsoft.
Also offering a Response Point-based system will be D-Link, whose product is shown below and is scheduled to ship in "Q4 2007." The base unit, including five phones, are expected to list around $3,000 with additional phones around $150 each.
 
D-Link DVX-2000 base unit and desktop phone
(Click each image for larger view)
In an interview earlier this year with WindowsForDevices, Microsoft product manager Jeff Smith described Response Point as a "go-to-market" software stack based on Windows XP Embedded, similar to how Windows Mobile is a go-to-market variant of Windows CE. And, like Windows Mobile, Response Point is only being marketed directly to major device OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) and ODMs (original design manufacturers).
Unlike Microsoft's other telephony offerings such as Office Communications Server 2007 and Office Communicator 2007, Response Point is not extensible via APIs. Instead, it is positioned as a "phone system appliance" only, according to the company.
Microsoft played a role in developing a reference architecture, but is not controlling the hardware design, Smith added. Instead, each OEM or ODM is building its own variation derived from the Response Point reference design.
Additional Vendors
Uniden was listed as an additional supplier of Response Point-based systems when Microsoft made its initial announcement earlier this year. While no further details of Uniden's offering have been released, Aastra Technologies has been added to the Response Point roster. Aastra will offer Response Point phone systems with wireless handset options "by next year," according to Microsoft's release.
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