By Stevie Smith May 15, 2007, 15:02 GMT
Microsoft, the American software corporation sometimes chided in the industry for its apparent lack of flexibility, has this week taken the opportunity at the Windows Hardware Engineering Conference (WinHEC) to unveil a new generation of devices created in partnership with no less than nine of the tech industry's leading companies.
Specifically, Microsoft Corp. along with the likes of ASUSTek Computer Inc., GN, LG-Nortel Co. Ltd., NEC Corp., Plantronics Inc., Polycom Inc., Samsung, Tatung Co., and ViTELiX, are set to introduce 15 next gen devices designed to " connect the workplace phone to e-mail, instant messaging, real-time presence information, conferencing, voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) and mobile communications”
The new technological wave of phones and devices are being rolled out this week via Microsoft's public beta program of its Office Communications Server 2007 and office communicator 2007. Also, the Redmond-based giant will also be delivering design specifications to device manufacturers so as to assure their customers that the new hardware will be readily compatible with both Office Communications Server and Office Communicator.
“Today’s office phone is marooned on an island, separate from the rest of the communications tools that information workers rely on to do their jobs,” said Jeff Raikes, president of Microsoft’s Business Division. “By weaving the business phone together with e-mail, instant messaging, presence, conferencing and the productivity software people use most, we are putting voice communications back into business.”
Utilising an open approach alongside published software interfaces, Microsoft is hoping to provide new and innovative workplace communications solutions to inspire enhanced business efficiency and productivity.
The new range of devices should deliver customers with accessible functions such as the "Just Works" experience, which will see the new phones and devices working directly out of the box alongside existing Microsoft unified communications software - the official line of which is that it's "as simple as plug-and-play."
The 15 new pieces of hardware being unveiled this week include Internet protocol (IP) phones, Universal Serial Bus (USB) phones, wired and wireless headsets, conferencing phones, LCD monitors, and laptops.
Businesses interested in taking part in the Office Communications Server 2007 and Office Communicator beta program can join up by clicking the following link: http://www.microsoft.com/uc.
Your Talkback on this Story