Microsoft trying to find its voice

by admin December 12, 2006 at 5:47 am

Microsoft is dipping its toe a little further into the world of telephony.

The software maker, which has high hopes that the convergence of voice and data networks will allow it to get into the unified communications market, is ready with its first test software for running business phone systems.

In June, Microsoft touted its plans for the market. This week, Microsoft is launching a private beta, which will allow about 2,500 people to try out its call-handling software, known as Office Communications Server.

“Obviously, this is an important milestone toward that vision,” said Chris Cullin, a director of product management in Microsoft’s unified communications group. “This is the first time that the voice components of that vision will be available for customers.”

In its last version, the product was known as Live Communications Server and existed mainly to allow instant messaging and to determine who at a company is online at any given time.

Read more: CNET News.com