| Response Point telephony systems ship |
Nov. 12, 2007
 Microsoft says its VoIP-enabled phone system software platform based on Windows XP Embedded is now shipping. Additionally response Point-based devices from D-Link systems and Quanta are now available, 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 above-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 Syspine system costs approximately $2,500 for a built-in analog telephone adapter (ATA), secure gateway, and four phones. Additional phones reportedly will be $159 each.
Also offering a Response Point-based system is D-Link, whose product is shown below. Microsoft says D-Link's base unit, ATA, and five phones costs approximately $2,500, with additional phones priced at $139 each. Twenty-phone systems from both D-Link and Quanta are expected to cost approximately $5,500.
 
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 will release an additional Response Point-based system in 2008, according to Microsoft's statement.
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