Microsoft approaching VoIP server launch

Microsoft has completed development of its VoIP server system and has released it to manufacturers, ready for a full launch in six to eight weeks.

The announcement from Jeff Raikes, president of Micosoft's business division, means that there is not long left before the VoIP industry gets a chance to take a look at Office Communications Server 2007 (OCS) and its client Office Communicator 2007.

"With this milestone we are one step closer to delivering products that establish Microsoft as a major force in unified communications and voice," said Mr Raikes.

Developers have stopped working on the code for the program and the product is being finalised for general distribution.

Mr Haines predicted that companies could cut their spending on telephone calls in half by making use of the new server and client system, saying: "Users will get more value at less cost by focusing on software for this approach [to voice]."

OCS will allow users to launch VoIP phone calls using session initiation protocol (SIP) from within Office 2007 applications, such as Outlook or Word, by clicking on the name of a contact.

Microsoft is planning to ease its way into the VoIP market, having set up deals with a number of hardware providers including Nortel, NEC Philips Unified Solutions and Polycom.