Microsoft Unveils New Generation of Workplace Phones and Devices at Engineering Conference
A new generation of phones and devices designed to work with Microsoft’s unified communications software were on display at the Windows Hardware Engineering Conference (WinHEC) 2007 in Los Angeles.
Microsoft Corp. and nine partners — ASUSTek Computer Inc., GN, LG-Nortel Co. Ltd., NEC Corp., Plantronics Inc., Polycom Inc., SAMSUNG, Tatung Co. and ViTELiX — introduced devices that connect the workplace phone to e-mail, instant messaging, real-time presence information, conferencing, voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) and mobile communications.
“Today’s office phone is marooned on an island, separate from the rest of the communications tools that information workers rely on to do their jobs,” said Jeff Raikes, president of the Microsoft Business Division. “By weaving the business phone together with e-mail, instant messaging, presence, conferencing and the productivity software people use most, we are putting voice communications back into business.”
The new phones and devices are available for use in the public beta program of Microsoft® Office Communications Server 2007 and Microsoft Office Communicator 2007. Businesses interested in taking part in the Office Communications Server 2007 and Office Communicator beta program can join at http://www.microsoft.com/uc.
Gurdeep Singh Pall, Corporate Vice President of the Unified Communications Group, highlights a selection of new devices announced by Microsoft and nine industry-leading companies in conjunction with the Windows Hardware Engineering Conference (WinHEC) 2007, May 14, 2007.