By Don Panek TelephonyWorld Editor
Well not more than a month after I wrote an article titled "GORILLAS SET TO DO BATTLE ON VOIP FRONT" which can be found on the site at http://www.telephonyworld.com/cgi-bin/training/viewnews.cgi?category=all&id=1149041677
about Microsoft and their possible entry into the real communication space, do we see this week an announcement from MS touting a Unified Communication platform.
Now I don't mean to get redundant and spend another issue talking about a similar topic, but frankly folks this is pretty big news and I am sure if it hasn't happened already, the rest of the industry will be beating it to death soon too.
For a glimpse of the plans Microsoft has, along with some cool demos and links to more info, visit http://www.microsoft.com/UC/default.mspx
Earlier this week, Jeff Raikes, president of the Microsoft Business Division, unveiled the company’s vision, technology road map and partner framework for unified communications at a strategy event in San Francisco. Microsoft's approach to unified communications will include e-mail, instant messaging, mobile and voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) telephony, and audio-, video- and web conferencing. Now one thing that has yet to be made clear to me is what MS is proposing to do about hardware and switching fabric to make some of their communication plans reality.
I've seen mentions of some potential partnerships with HP, Siemens and possibly Motorola, so this could be the way.
MS is now staking bets on the belief that Unified communications will drive the next major advancement in individual, team and organizational productivity for today’s 24x7, always-connected and increasingly mobile work environment,” Raikes said.
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.”
In support of its vision, Microsoft announced new and enhanced unified communications technologies that will be part of the Microsoft Office system 2007 wave of products.
Microsoft will roll up already familiar applications into a cohesive platform designed to carry us into this next wave of communication utopia.
Here is a line up of the core products that will form the basis of their Unified Communication Platform:
• Microsoft Office Communications Server 2007, a robust, flexible, Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) standards-based real-time communication platform that enables presence-based VoIP call management; audio-, video- and web conferencing; and instant messaging communication within and across existing software applications, services and devices.
• Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 unified messaging goes beyond e-mail and today’s stand-alone voice-mail systems to deliver a unified in box experience that includes e-mail, voice mail and faxing functionality, as well as new capabilities such as speech-based auto attendant allowing users to access their communications from any phone.
• Microsoft Office Communicator 2007, a unified communications client that works in tandem with Office Communications Server 2007 to deliver a presence-based, enterprise VoIP “soft phone”; secure, enterprise-grade instant messaging that allows for inter company federation and connectivity to public instant messaging networks such as MSN®, AOL and Yahoo!; one-to-one and multiparty video- and audio conferencing; and web conferencing. As with the previous versions, Office Communicator 2007 will be available in desktop, browser-based and Windows Mobile®-based versions.
• Microsoft Office Live Meeting, a rich conferencing service designed to help users more effectively collaborate, conduct training and deliver presentations using just a PC and an Internet connection. Improvements to Office Live Meeting include support for e-learning, enhanced audio and video capabilities including VoIP, a streamlined user interface, seamless integration with the Microsoft Office system and simpler deployment.
• Microsoft Office RoundTable™, an audio-video collaboration device with a unique 360-degree camera. When combined with Office Communications Server 2007, RoundTable delivers an immersive conferencing experience that extends the meeting environment across multiple locations. Meeting participants on site and in remote locations gain a panoramic view of everyone in the conference room as well as close-up views of individual participants as they take turns speaking.
• Microsoft Office Communicator phone experience, Communicator-based software designed to run an innovative set of new voice and video devices — including business-enabled IP desktop phones — from Polycom Inc., LG-Nortel Co. Ltd. and Thomson Telecom. This is a new ecosystem designed to run on dedicated communications devices in tandem with Office Communications Server 2007 to extend and enhance the Microsoft unified communications experience.
• **** PC peripheral devices, such as USB handsets, wireless USB headsets, USB web cams and PC monitors with built-in audio and video components. Devices from industry partners GN Netcom Inc., Logitech, Motorola, Plantronics Inc., Samsung and Tatung Co. will work with Microsoft Office Communicator 2007 to deliver a compelling communication experience on the PC.
**** Now here is where I think we all need to really focus our energies and thoughts. I am all for the whole Unified Messaging vision, and I truly believe we get closer everyday. But, I am still not convinced there is a single killer piece of personal hardware, whether it is a phone, handheld PC, PDA or whatever, that is up to the task of truly bringing Unified Communication and productivity to the masses. Sure I think you can do pretty good today with a couple devices, but frankly, I think we need just one.
I want a killer pocket PC that can do all my PC functions and run all my apps, and then connect via broadband wireless to a global carrier anywhere anytime, then also be able to dial into a conference or webinar, or live meeting and sit in, while the on board video camera transmits my mug shot to the rest of the meeting participants regardless of where they physically are.
I don't want to have to carry 3 devices to do this. Or even at best 2 devices. I should be able to have just 1.
It will be here soon I am sure, but until then, I'll be doing just fine with the apps I already know and love.
Availability
Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 is scheduled to be released in late 2006 or early 2007. Microsoft Speech Server 2007 will be available in late 2006. Communications Server 2007, Communicator 2007, Communicator phone experience, Live Meeting, RoundTable and the IP-enabled business desktop phones featuring Communicator phone experience will complete Microsoft’s unified communications solutions and are scheduled to be available in the second quarter of 2007.
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.
Microsoft, Outlook, MSN, Windows Mobile and RoundTable are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.
The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.
