Rumors of a partnership between Microsoft Corp. (quote - news - alert) and Siemens Communications Group (quote - news - alert) to extend integrated video, Web-based conferencing and collaboration offerings for enterprises have reached the news wire today.
The deal between the companies closely follows a business relationship that started about two years ago and will allow for the integration of Siemens hardware with Microsoft’s Office Live Communications Server 2005, Office Live Meeting and the recently developed Microsoft Office integrated communications client code-named Istanbul (news - alert).
So far, the companies jointly produced the Siemens HiPath OpenScape collaboration portal built on Live Communications Server 2005 and client code-named Istanbul, combining a bundle of instant messaging, extensible presence, PC-based voice and video clients, and telephony integration.
The companies have confirmed that they have plans for developing an enterprise system allowing users functions such as click-to-call, control of PBX or IP-PBX connected desktop phones, and notification of calls coming to their desktop-based soft phones. In addition, instant messaging capabilities, along with presence technologies, will be built into the offering.
According to reports, it is speculated that the Siemens HiPath OpenScape Telephony Control Link (TCL) -- a PC and IP-PBX/PBX phone interface -- is currently being designed to integrate with the Microsoft Office Live Communications Server 2005 and the Microsoft Istanbul integrated communications client. The solution is expected to be available during the beginning of this year.
| Johanne Torres is contributing editor for TMCnet.com and Internet Telephony magazine. Previously, she was
assistant editor for EContent magazine in Connecticut. She
can be reached by e-mail at jtorres@tmcnet.com. |
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[January 11, 2005]
