This newsletter will focus on all aspects of OCS, LCS – Live Communications Server, Exchange Server, Active Director, Media Gateways, Mediation Server and all other systems and technologies related to Microsoft’s (News - Alert) (News - Alert) (News - Alert) entry into the Internet telephony business.

 

Microsoft’s entry into Internet telephony is profound in many ways.

 

First, consolidation of acquisition may be the most significant. In survey after survey, the number #1 business issue that companies — large and small — want from a supplier is "one-stop" shopping for acquiring and maintaining services. Today, the Internet telephony business portends to provide more than VoIP services but alas most SIP/VoIP providers offer Internet telephony but little else. Interconnect companies, many too old or scared to learn IP and VoIP, play down or ignore VoIP and SIP, alarming their customers by saying "you don’t want to put all your eggs in one basket, do you?" Lastly, the vast array of software providers, VARs and other channel partners offer a piece to the puzzle but often no or integration of voice. No more. OCS is the future. OCS will consolidate acquisition for customers giving them fewer vendors and ideally improve performance at a lower cost. OCS is also good, if not great, for the internet telephony industry. OCS will "lift all boats," at least those that can learn to "tack" to the new wind blowing.

 

Second, integration of voice as "just another application" is long over due. We don’t need to have separate networks for voice and data. That is a myth that is driven by the dinosaur providers who are trying to save in vain their legacy investments. We also don’t need to have devices separate devices for integrated applications. That is, we don’t need desksets (for most users). Deskset telephones are like desktop PCs, yes some occupations still require a desktop. However, if you have a laptop the idea of a desktop telephone is like requiring the user to carry a boat anchor. In addition, with users extending their usage to the home, hotel, etc. there is little want to carry something else along. Lastly, there are a lot of really great headsets that give the user not just one but two earfuls of audio which is something that even A. Bell didn’t give us.

Third, OCS gives us something new. New is a good thing. OCS will make voice really exciting like what is going on in mobile telephony. Look at what the iPhone (News - Alert) (News - Alert) (News - Alert) has done it has given a major wakeup call to the cellphone industry. I have an iPhone and stood in line to get it. I still tell people that the iPhone is a one of the most significant innovations in technology because it truly integrates a vast array of services in one device. OCS will bring about new opportunities and new ways we haven’t thought of before including embedded and multi-dimensional content. Oh, I wrote a book on artificial intelligence so I can attest to the fact that there are many innovations that need a new platform to become market reality. In simple terms, think of OCS making voice as simply programmable software.

These are just three reasons why we are doing this new newsletter — consolidation, channels and content.

From now on, we at TMCnet at committed to bringing you news on OCS implementations, challenges, new approaches, innovations and more. If you have suggestions for in-depth pieces, please send them along.

Cheers and great stories ahead,