Microsoft starts OCS2007 private beta

Microsoft has started a private beta of its Office Communications Server 2007, adding VoIP services and features into the Exchange environment. I had a chat yesterday with Chris Cullin, director of product management for Microsoft's Unified Communications Group. He says that there are 2,500 IT managers from 1,100 companies around the world in the beta, all of whom have experience with OCS's predecessor software. Cullin said one focus of the beta is interoperability with legacy phone systems from companies who have signed on as partners, including Nortel, Avaya, Siemens, NEC and Mitel. Two feature sets he emphasized were integration with the Exchange and Office 2007 environments, and the ability for mobile workers to appear on the OCS network whenever they were connected through an Exchange server. How long with the beta last? Cullin wouldn't say, but noted that the OCS is slated to ship in the second half of 2007.

For more information about Microsoft and VoIP:
- read previous articles here and here.

Related Articles:
Microsoft sniffing around VoIP. Report