| Microsoft outlines unified communications strategy |
Jun. 26, 2006
 Microsoft on June 26 outlined its "unified communications" strategy, which aims to seamlessly interconnect email, instant messaging, and cellular and VoIP (voice-over-IP) telephony, along with audio-, video-, and web-conferencing. Additionally, Motorola and LG-Nortel announced plans to develop fixed and mobile devices supporting the unified communications platform.
Microsoft says its unified communications strategy takes advantage of new features in Exchange Server that provide a "unified in-box experience," along with a speech-based auto attendant that allows users to access communications from any phone.
The company lists the following key aspects of the unified communications platform, which combines new features and devices with various elements of Office 2007: - Communications Server -- a SIP-based (Session Initiation Protocol) real-time communication platform that enables presence-based VoIP call management, audio-, video-, and webconferencing; and instant messaging "within and across existing software applications, services and devices"
- Exchange Server -- creates a unified inbox that integrates email, voice mail, and faxing functionality, as well as new capabilities such as a speech-based auto attendant function so that users can access their inbox from "any" phone
- Communicator -- a unified communications client, offered in desktop, browser-based, and Windows Mobile versions, that works in tandem with Communications Server to provide: a presence-based, VoIP softphone; reliable, secure instant messaging compatible with multiple public instant messaging networks; and one-to-one and multiparty video-, audio-, and web-conferencing
- Live Meeting enhancements -- extensions to the Live Meeting conferencing service, including support for e-learning, easier deployment, and enhanced audio and video capabilities including VoIP.
 - RoundTable -- an audio-video collaboration device with a "unique 360-degree camera" (pictured at right) RoundTable works with Communications Server to provide an "immersive conferencing experience" that extends the meeting environment across multiple locations.
- Communicator phone experience -- Communicator-based software that runs a set of new voice and video devices, including IP desktop phones from Polycom, LG-Nortel, and Thomson Telecom.
- PC peripheral devices -- USB handsets, wireless USB headsets, USB webcams, and PC monitors with built-in audio and video components.
Device support
 Motorola said it plans to support the unified communications platform on various of its mobile devices and network hardware components. The initial offering will combine the presence awareness and instant messaging (IM) capabilities of Communications Server 2007 with Motorola's Windows Mobile 5.0-based HC700 series rugged handhelds (pictured at top of story) and the Q smartphone (pictured at right). Additionally, the company said it will integrate Office Communicator Mobile with its MOTOPRO Mobility Suite and Wireless Services Manager (WSM) products, enabling users to seamlessly communicate and collaborate across heterogeneous access networks.
LG-Nortel, meanwhile, announced that it plans to develop and market a business-enabled IP desktop phone that supports the Microsoft unified communications platform. The new phone will work with Office Communications Server 2007 presence-awareness, IP call management features and enhanced instant messaging capabilities to allow users to locate and communicate with customers, colleagues and business partners within a "more highly integrated and secure environment," according to the company. Earlier this year, LG-Nortel signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Microsoft for "broad range collaboration in VoIP," including the joint development and marketing of Windows CE based IP terminals and the new Windows CE 6 videophone.
"Unified communications will drive the next major advancement in individual, team and organizational productivity in today's 24x7, always-connected and increasingly mobile work environment," said Jeff Raikes, president Microsoft's Business Division. "We believe that through software, we can transform business communications (bringing down both its cost and complexity) by now integrating voice communications with the familiar and powerful communications and collaboration experiences provided by Microsoft."
Additional perspective on the unified messaging platform is available from this story at eWEEK.com.
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