Microsoft’s IP
telephony spectrum
VOIP, unified communications platforms don’t intersect significantly—yet
By Andrew Garcia g WEEK LABS
PAUL CONNOLLY
In the last quarter of 2007, munications Server 2007 builds Embedded-basedapplianceproviding
Microsoft burst onto the scene upon Microsoft’s Exchange Server basic VOIP features and functions for
with a pair of products that and Office environments to offer companies looking for an affordable,
launched the company into the users a PC-oriented solution that more traditional telephony solution
voice-over-IP and unified communica- brings together voice-, video- and (see review, Page 37).
tionsmarkets. Theseproducts, although text-based communications with “On the Office Communications
aimed at opposite ends of the market- real-time presence and collaboration Server side, we really focused on the
place, share the common theme of capabilities (see review, Page 36). information worker as the primary
leveraging software to foster improved Microsoft followed that with the audience,” said Eric Swift, senior direc-communications for clients. November release of Response Point, tor of product management for Micro-
Released in October, Office Com- a low-maintenance, Windows XP soft’s Unified [CON TINUED ON PAGE 40]
