Microsoft Office Communications Server inches closer to public launch

Convergence & VoIP This newsletter is sponsored by Akamai Technologies Perk up apps with Web acceleration Discover why one enterprise made the decision to go with a managed Web application service provider to improve application performance. This IT shop decided that a distributed datacenter was too costly and is now reaping the benefits of outsourcing. Its once sluggish application is now chugging along. Network World's Convergence & VoIP Newsletter, 08/06/07 Microsoft Office Communications Server inches closer to public launch By Steve Taylor and Larry Hettick Microsoft’s Business Division, announced late last month at the company’s financial analyst conference that Office Communications Server 2007 and Office Communicator code have been completed and that the software has been “released to manufacturing” - moving the package one step closer to public launch. Microsoft’s next step is to “localize the software for worldwide availability.” The system provides enterprise-grade presence, software-powered VoIP, Web conferencing and instant messaging. The Office Communications Server has been in beta test since March and according to Gurdeep Singh Pall, vice president of Microsoft’s Unified Communications Group, more than 75,000 people have downloaded the public beta version. More than 50 companies have been announced as ecosystem partners participating in the development and delivery of the Microsoft unified communications platform. In a statement, Pall said: “We’re delivering on the strategy we outlined last year and are on track to launch this next wave of Microsoft’s unified communications software in the fall.” Pall noted that Microsoft had worked closely with beta customers to incorporate their suggestions. Application Acceleration More companies today are taxed with supporting global business processes in real-time. Download this Webcast, Application Acceleration: Merits of Managed Services to learn how managed Web acceleration services might best support this goal. Click here to check it out! Prices for the system are based on both server and client access licenses and licenses are based on the user’s choice of “Standard” and “Enterprise” license type. The Standard user license includes instant messaging and presence features and costs $21 for the “average enterprise.” The new Enterprise type provides new conferencing and VoIP call management features and is priced at $97 per client access license for the average enterprise. Concurrent with the progress announcement, Microsoft has made an ROI calculator available to help enterprise predict ROI results of deploying the unified communications system, along with a white paper that discusses different ROI considerations. The white paper and more information on Microsoft’s plans and progress can be found here. Further reading: From Microsoft Subnet: What's Microsoft Office Communications Server 2007?   What do you think? Post a comment on this newsletter

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Contact the author: Steve Taylor is president of Distributed Networking Associates and publisher/editor-in-chief of Webtorials. For more detailed information on most of the topics discussed in this newsletter, connect to Webtorials, the premier site for Web-based educational presentations, white papers, and market research. Taylor can be reached at taylor@webtorials.com Larry Hettick is an industry veteran with more than 20 years of experience in voice and data. He is Vice President for Telecom Services and Infrastructure at Current Analysis, the leading competitive response solutions company. He can be reached at lhettick@currentanalysis.com This newsletter is sponsored by Akamai Technologies Perk up apps with Web acceleration Discover why one enterprise made the decision to go with a managed Web application service provider to improve application performance. This IT shop decided that a distributed datacenter was too costly and is now reaping the benefits of outsourcing. Its once sluggish application is now chugging along. ARCHIVE Archive of the Convergence & VoIP Newsletter. BONUS FEATURE IT PRODUCT RESEARCH AT YOUR FINGERTIPS Get detailed information on thousands of products, conduct side-by-side comparisons and read product test and review results with Network World’s IT Buyer’s Guides. Find the best solution faster than ever with over 100 distinct categories across the security, storage, management, wireless, infrastructure and convergence markets. Click here for details. PRINT SUBSCRIPTIONS AVAILABLE You've got the technology snapshot of your choice delivered to your inbox each day. Extend your knowledge with a print subscription to the Network World newsweekly, Apply here today. International subscribers, click here. SUBSCRIPTION SERVICES To subscribe or unsubscribe to any Network World newsletter, change your e-mail address or contact us, click here. This message was sent to: networking.world@gmail.com. Please use this address when modifying your subscription. Advertising information: Write to Associate Publisher Online Susan Cardoza Network World, Inc., 118 Turnpike Road, Southborough, MA 01772 Copyright Network World, Inc., 2007