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Microsoft Unveils Unified Communications Product Road Map and Partner Ecosystem |
New 2007 Office system products to deliver enterprise communications solution that
unifies voice, conferencing, IM and collaboration
SINGAPORE — June 27, 2006 — Through the power of software, unified communications will break down today’s silos of e-mail, instant messaging, mobile and voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) telephony, and audio, video and Web conferencing. In addition to unveiling its vision, technology road map and global partner framework for unified communications, Microsoft also announced new business alliances with Datacraft, LGA Telecom, MediaRing, and Radiance Communications to deliver on the vision in Singapore.
In alliance with a rich and diverse partner ecosystem that spans technology, services and network solutions providers, Microsoft seeks to put people at the center of communications by providing them a single identity across all modes of communications and integrate them into people’s everyday work processes, including the widely used Microsoft® Office system and third-party software applications. With Microsoft unified communications, partner organizations can increase their overall profitability by leveraging current competencies and existing infrastructures to expand service opportunities.
“Unified communications will drive the next major advancement in individual, team and organizational productivity in today’s 24x7, always-connected and increasingly mobile work environment,” said Joe Poon, Microsoft’s director for Unified Communications Group in Asia. “We believe that through software, we can transform business communications (bringing down both its cost and complexity) by now integrating voice communications with the familiar and powerful communications and collaboration experiences provided by Microsoft.”
CEO of MediaRing, Khaw Kheng Joo, said, “With the rapid convergence of voice and data in today’s world, we are excited to play a key role in Microsoft’s vision for unified communications as we see limitless growth potential in this area. MediaRing is one of the world’s leading VoIP telephony service providers. We believe that, with our expertise, infrastructure and leadership position in the VoIP arena, we will be able to help successfully deliver on Microsoft’s promise of seamless communications in its New Office 2007 system.”
“The convergence of all communications on IP networks and on open software platforms has led to the development of new models in unified communications and impact the way individuals, groups and organizations collaborate. We believe that the largest single benefit of unified communications is in the ability to reduce the latency of human activities. By leveraging Microsoft’s leading-edge technology, Datacraft is well positioned to provide an integrated collaboration platform that will allow our clients to harness the power of unified communications for complete collaboration and mobility,” said Andy Cocks, Director, Strategy Execution and Solutions Group, Datacraft.
Added Daniel Ang, CEO and founder of LGA Telecom Pte Ltd, "LGA has over the last two years spared no effort on R & D, especially in the area of Unified Messaging as we believe that IP communication is going to drive businesses in a major way as far as mobility and connectivity are concerned. We strongly support Microsoft's strategy in Unified Messaging and believe that our collaborative efforts will be instrumental in driving the next wave of the Internet - enabling more businesses to make better decisions faster by connecting people, information and business processes and leading the way for BoIP - Business over Internet Protocol."
"As the leading converged communications solutions provider in the region, Radiance has the right skill sets and experience in successfully deploying turn key Avaya communications solutions to eminent enterprise customers across major industries. By coordinating with Microsoft, we feel confident that the integrated solution will add significant value to enterprise communications," concluded Irene Chiam, Director, Solutions and Services Sales, Radiance Communications.
Unified Communications with Microsoft Office 2007
In support of its vision, Microsoft today announced new and enhanced unified communications technologies that will be part of the Microsoft Office system 2007 wave of products. The company will bring together its popular corporate e-mail offerings of Microsoft Exchange Server, which includes new unified messaging capabilities, Microsoft Office Outlook®, and Microsoft Speech Server, with updated versions of its real-time collaboration technologies and a set of new communications devices to form a cohesive unified communications solution. Built on a rich platform and supported by the extensive capabilities of its growing partner ecosystem, Microsoft’s unified communications offerings will deliver seamless, comprehensive and integrated communications capabilities for businesses.
• Microsoft Office Communications Server 2007, a robust, flexible, Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) standards-based real-time communication platform that enables presence-based VoIP call management; audio-, video- and webconferencing; and instant messaging communication within and across existing software applications, services and devices.
• Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 unified messaging goes beyond e-mail and today’s stand-alone voice-mail systems to deliver a unified inbox experience that includes e-mail, voice mail and faxing functionality, as well as new capabilities such as speech-based auto attendant allowing users to access their communications from any phone.
• Microsoft Office Communicator 2007, a unified communications client that works in tandem with Office Communications Server 2007 to deliver a presence-based, enterprise VoIP “softphone”; secure, enterprise-grade instant messaging that allows for intercompany federation and connectivity to public instant messaging networks such as MSN®, AOL and Yahoo!; one-to-one and multiparty video- and audioconferencing; and webconferencing. As with the previous versions, Office Communicator 2007 will be available in desktop, browser-based and Windows Mobile®-based versions.
• Microsoft Office Live Meeting, a rich conferencing service designed to help users more effectively collaborate, conduct training and deliver presentations using just a PC and an Internet connection. Improvements to Office Live Meeting include support for e-learning, enhanced audio and video capabilities including VoIP, a streamlined user interface, seamless integration with the Microsoft Office system and simpler deployment.
• Microsoft Office RoundTable™, an audio-video collaboration device with a unique 360-degree camera. When combined with Office Communications Server 2007, RoundTable delivers an immersive conferencing experience that extends the meeting environment across multiple locations. Meeting participants on site and in remote locations gain a panoramic view of everyone in the conference room as well as close-up views of individual participants as they take turns speaking.
• Microsoft Office Communicator phone experience, Communicator-based software designed to run an innovative set of new voice and video devices — including business-enabled IP desktop phones — from Polycom Inc., LG-Nortel Co. Ltd. and Thomson Telecom. This is a new ecosystem designed to run on dedicated communications devices in tandem with Office Communications Server 2007 to extend and enhance the Microsoft unified communications experience.
• PC peripheral devices, such as USB handsets, wireless USB headsets, USB webcams and PC monitors with built-in audio and video components. Devices from industry partners GN Netcom Inc., Logitech, Motorola, NEC Corp., Plantronics Inc., Samsung and Tatung Co. will work with Microsoft Office Communicator 2007 to deliver a compelling communication experience on the PC.
“To achieve the productivity revolution we believe is possible with unified communications, we need to provide deeper integration of communications modes within the processes we use every day,” Poon said. “Ensuring all modes of communications are people-centric and presence-based will help people find and connect to the right person the first time using the most effective communication modes. Software will be the key to delivering on this promise, resulting in a more powerful end-user experience, real productivity enhancements, and compelling business value for our customers and partners.”
Availability
Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 is scheduled to be released in late 2006 or early 2007. Microsoft Speech Server 2007 will be available in late 2006. Communications Server 2007, Communicator 2007, Communicator phone experience, Live Meeting, RoundTable and the IP-enabled business desktop phones featuring Communicator phone experience will complete Microsoft’s unified communications solutions and are scheduled to be available in the second quarter of 2007.
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About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.
About MediaRing
With offices in Singapore, Cambodia, Shanghai, Beijing, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Taiwan and Sunnyvale (USA), MediaRing is a leading pure-play Internet telephony player in Asia and enjoys a growing share of the global VoIP market. Through its strong technological capabilities and extensive distribution network, MediaRing brings high-quality voice services to carriers, enterprises, service providers, and consumers with its wide range of service offerings. Its extensive partnerships with carriers around the world allow call terminations worldwide. As a pioneer in VoIP services with unique proprietary technology, MediaRing derives more than 95% of its revenue from outside Singapore.
About Radiance Communications
Radiance is the leader in converged communications solutions and applications provider in the region. Radiance is Avaya GOLD BusinessPartner for Singapore, Malaysia and Brunei, and Avaya SILVER BusinessPartner for China. For more information, visit the Radiance website: http://www.radiancecomms.com/.
About Datacraft
Datacraft is the leading independent IT services and solutions company in Asia Pacific. The company helps clients plan, build and support their IT infrastructures. Datacraft combines an expertise in networking, security, operating environments, storage and contact centre technologies, with advanced skills in consulting, integration and managed services, to craft IT solutions for businesses. A member of the Dimension Data Group, Datacraft is listed on the main board of the Singapore Exchange and is a component company of the Straits Times Index. Headquartered in Singapore, Datacraft spans more than 50 major offices and has over 1,200 employees across 13 Asia Pacific markets.
About LGA Telecom Pte Ltd
LGA Telecom Pte Ltd has been a pioneer in the Internet Industry since 1995. Today LGA Telecom provides enterprise and SMEs solutions to do business securely over the Internet anytime and anywhere globally. LGA Telecom provides and manages both voice and data services for their clients in the most efficient and economical means with minimum down time.
Media Contacts
Microsoft Singapore
Fatima Adam
Communications Manager
Tel: +65 6882 8992
E-mail: fatima.adam@microsoft.com
Edelman (for Microsoft Singapore)
Ho Sin Huay/ Pia Tyagi
Tel : +65 6347 2329/ +65 6347 2330
Email: sinhuay.ho@edelman.com/ pia.tyagi@edelman.com
Dunbar•Jones & Associates (for LGA Telecom)
Alicia Tan /Jennifer Dunbar
Tel: (65) 6356 2830
Email: atan@dunbarjones.com.sg/ jdunbar@dunbarjones.com.sg
MediaRing Ltd
Joycelyn Longue
Marcom Manager
Tel : +65 6240 5606
Email: joycelyn-longue@mediaring.com
Radiance Communications
Michael Ng
Deputy Director, Strategic Marketing
Tel: +65 6395 2118
E-mail: michael.ng@radiancecomms.com
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