Microsoft Office Communicator Server RTMs


      
            Q&A: Gurdeep Singh Pall, vice president of the Unified Communications Group, highlights Microsoft?s progress on Microsoft Office Communications Server 2007 and Microsoft Office Communicator 2007 as the company readies for its unified communications launch this fall.
      
      During his address at Microsoft?s Financial Analyst Meeting (FAM), Jeff Raikes, president of the Microsoft Business Division, announced that Office Communications Server 2007 and Office Communicator are code complete and will release to manufacturing (RTM) tomorrow. With this milestone and launch around the corner this fall, the Unified Communications Group is one step closer to fulfilling the UC promise and helping customers streamline business communications, increase productivity and lower costs.
      PressPass spoke with Gurdeep Singh Pall, vice president of the Unified Communications Group, about the evolving unified communications industry, the return early adopters are seeing from Office Communications Server and Office Communicator and the company?s progress towards launch in the fall.
      
            PressPass: Unified Communications and enterprise VoIP is getting a lot of attention these days. What are the big trends you?re seeing in this space?
      
      
            Pall: At Microsoft, we believe all forms of enterprise communications, including VoIP, are moving from hardware-based systems to software. This transformation is really what?s behind unified communications. It?s the transformation to software that makes it possible for businesses to streamline communications through a software interface and platform that unites voice, instant messaging, e-mail and video and Web conferencing. Over the last year, we?ve seen customers and partners increasingly validate our viewpoint and our strategy in this space. Even our competitors are validating this trend by trying to reshape their hardware-based businesses and investing heavily in software R&D.
      
            PressPass: Why does an organization need Microsoft Office Communications Server 2007 and Office Communicator 2007?
      
      
            Pall: Companies today need better tools to help their people meet the demands of the always on, always connected international nature of business. In this global environment, people need to be able to more easily communicate and collaborate, and they need to be able to work as efficiently and effectively on the road as at their desks.
      Office Communications Server 2007 and Office Communicator 2007 will provide foundational communications capabilities that include presence, software-powered VoIP, Web conferencing, and enterprise instant messaging. Working with Exchange 2007 and Office Outlook 2007, Office Communications Server and Office Communicator streamline communications making it easier for people to collaborate and access the information necessary for informed and timely decisions. Continue At Source


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