Microsoft OCS Beta launches
Always right on top of big things, my friend Tom Keating posted this just this morning:
Office Communications Server 2007 Public Beta Launches
Recently I stated that Microsoft would launch the public beta of Office Communications Server 2007 later this month. Well, Microsoft gave me a heads up on the launching of their public beta of Office Communications Server 2007 which is available later today. The Public Beta code for Microsoft Office Communications Server 2007 + Communicator 2007 (client) will be available for download as of 10AM PDT (1PM EDT). Virtual PC images plus video demos will be available following week, which will allow IT staff to more easily trial OCS 2007 as a "virtual" turnkey solution. I plan on testing OCS 2007 on Windows 2003 R2 x64 Enterprise Edition very soon, so keep your eye out for that. For now, let me give you my thoughts on what I know so far about OCS 2007, including some interesting insights from my meeting with Microsoft two weeks ago in NYC. First, Microsoft is getting into the IP phone business - look out Cisco! Technically, Microsoft will be licensing the Office Communicator client to run directly on VoIP phone hardware, such as this unannounced IP phone below: (click for full high-res version where you can see how similar the functionality on LCD GUI is to the Microsoft Office Communicator 2007.)
[Read Tom's full post]
Personally, I haven't been won over to Microsoft's ability to perform with OCS. I've seen LCS, and I remain skeptical and underly impressed overall.
As Tom points out, the fact they are using their own adaptive codec (other than GIPS or Spirit DSP) is pretty interesting. My personal experience tells me that has more to do with (a) ego and (b) ownership than it does to do with quality. Sure Psytechnics said Microsofts codec performed better. Then again, who commissioned Psytechnics to write the report? I'm betting it wasn't Cisco or Global IP Sound.
Tom's definitely closer to this technology, and more interested in what MS is doing, than I. If you're in an enterprise business, one thing is clear, Microsoft has you in their sights.
Technorati Tags: Microsoft, Office Communications Server, OCS, Global IP Sound, GIPS, unified communications, voice
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Comments
This is really hotting up. The IP Software game is just beginning to. I love what the likes of barablu are doing http://blog.barablu.com/
Posted by: Jason Streels | March 26, 2007 9:46 AM
Hey Ken, you're correct in Microsoft's using their own codec is ego. They are doing their own thing once again and will create transposing issues for themselves and others.
BTW, the test was not performed against GIPS' codecs. I have no reason to believe MS could create a better codec(s).
Of course, I'm pro-GIPS.
Posted by: Rick | March 26, 2007 2:48 PM