(24 October 2007 6:30 pm)

BANGALORE: Microsoft India has announced the availability of its Unified Communications (UC) software, following the global launch by Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates in San Francisco last week.

A Microsoft release claims that the announcement marks a major step towards streamlining workplace communication and reducing the cost of the average corporate VoIP system by half.

The software will enable employees within organizations to be able to communicate and collaborate through e-mails, phone call, Instant Messaging, video conference in a very simple, efficient manner through any device such as a computer, cell phone or even a public phone, while in office or on the move allowing them to be more productive.

Microsoft’s Unified Communications and VoIP software includes Microsoft Office Communications Server 2007, Microsoft Office Communicator, Microsoft Office Live Meeting, and the Service Pack Update of Microsoft Exchange Server 2007.

Says Microsoft Senior Director, Unified Communications Group Eric Swift, “Microsoft’s Software based approach is unique and is expected to usher in changes to enterprise voice communication that will fundamentally transforming business communications. Leading IT Global Research firms like Gartner have validated our approach by positioning Microsoft as one of the leaders in the Unified Communication space due to the completeness of our vision and our capability to execute this solution.”

“As businesses expand their geographical footprint and grow employee strength, we believe a Unified Communications solution will become an integral tool to ensure anytime anywhere access and will significantly impact organizational productivity,” says Microsoft India Director - Information Worker Business Group, Sanjay Manchanda.