July 13, 2007
Microsoft Expects 20 Percent Growth with UC Launch in Latin America
By Susan J. Campbell, TMCnet Contributing Editor
Recent Infonetics Research has shown substantial growth in unified communications, with a forecast of even stronger growth over the next few years. That growth is driven in part by companies launching new offerings in previously underserved areas.
One company launching in new regions is Microsoft (News - Alert). This software giant is anticipating that the upcoming launch of its new unified communications (UC) platform will drive at least 20 percent revenue growth for its Information Worker (IW) division in Latin America during this fiscal year, according to IW regional director Felipe Snchez.
The IW division focuses on enterprise solutions and realized 20 percent growth in revenues in Latin American during fiscal 2007, which ended June 30. Products typical to the IW division include Word, Office, Excel, and Exchange Servers. This division represents 35-40 percent of Microsoft’s global revenues.
Set to launch as the flagship component of the 2007 product versions in October, the UC platform will replace Live Communications Server. The Office Communications Server 2007 will reside on the back end and will provide the infrastructure on which the services are offered.
Office Communicator will be on the front end and will include applications such as chat, videoconferencing, VoIP
and presence. In parallel, the Live Meeting application is expected to be updated with more interactive functionality. It will be possible to install the platform “on-site” at the company instead of being hosted by Microsoft.
Snchez noted that installation on-site produces new revenue opportunities for partners who will be able to host the platform themselves and resell it as a service to its clients. An on-site solution also provides the client company much more control over the meeting proceedings and greater security.
The key difference between the solutions is that everything will be unified on a single platform and accessible from any computer or mobile phone, with the latter linked via Windows Mobile. The new platform delivers easier file manipulation, such as dragging Excel documents and sending them to a user.
Another functionality provided is the ability for users to click on an e-mail in Microsoft Outlook to determine the “presence” of the sender, such as whether or not they are busy or when they can be contacted.
Microsoft recently sealed a contract with Mexican telecoms giant Telmex for Live Meeting. The company expects to launch the application as a service in September, ahead of the official Microsoft launch.
Office Communicator will be on the front end and will include applications such as chat, videoconferencing, VoIP
and presence. In parallel, the Live Meeting application is expected to be updated with more interactive functionality. It will be possible to install the platform “on-site” at the company instead of being hosted by Microsoft.Snchez noted that installation on-site produces new revenue opportunities for partners who will be able to host the platform themselves and resell it as a service to its clients. An on-site solution also provides the client company much more control over the meeting proceedings and greater security.
The key difference between the solutions is that everything will be unified on a single platform and accessible from any computer or mobile phone, with the latter linked via Windows Mobile. The new platform delivers easier file manipulation, such as dragging Excel documents and sending them to a user.
Another functionality provided is the ability for users to click on an e-mail in Microsoft Outlook to determine the “presence” of the sender, such as whether or not they are busy or when they can be contacted.
Microsoft recently sealed a contract with Mexican telecoms giant Telmex for Live Meeting. The company expects to launch the application as a service in September, ahead of the official Microsoft launch.
The Latin American market does present its own challenges. Snchez views piracy and economic stability as being key obstacles for success. Microsoft is working with governments on education about piracy.
Microsoft is also focusing on the production of a program to introduce a student version of the UC platform at lower prices. Snchez is optimistic about the business prospects for UC in Latin America as the need for mobility and unified communications is just as great as anywhere. Mobile telephony in the region has taken over fixed line services, while broadband and laptop penetration are rapidly increasing.
Microsoft is also focusing on the production of a program to introduce a student version of the UC platform at lower prices. Snchez is optimistic about the business prospects for UC in Latin America as the need for mobility and unified communications is just as great as anywhere. Mobile telephony in the region has taken over fixed line services, while broadband and laptop penetration are rapidly increasing.
Susan J. Campbell is a contributing editor for TMC (News - Alert) and has also written for eastbiz.com. To see more of her articles, please visit Susan J. Campbell’s columnist page.
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