posted by: Mark Cortner
Microsoft recently executed an impressive virtual event to launch Office Communication Server (OCS) Release 2 (R2). The launch event included an overview of the new product capabilities included in OCS R2, “break-out” sessions that provided technical deep dives into the product, and customer case studies. OCS R2 includes expanded telephony functionality, simplified multimedia conferencing and collaboration, and the extensibility of OCS to line of business applications and workflows through communications enabled business processes (CEBP). However, taken in its entirety, the marquis additions to OCS are the voice-related enhancements.
The new telephony capabilities include single number reach, advanced call management delegation for administrative assistant applications, and a new Office Communicator soft client interface. In addition, Microsoft has significantly expanded the handset and headset endpoint ecosystem from vendors such as LG Nortel and Polycom. The devices in the ecosystem have been optimized for Office Communicator—translation: these devices support some non-open standard protocols and voice compression techniques that are included in OCS. Microsoft has also added mobile client support for the Java and Symbian operating systems and the ability to connect directly from OCS to the PSTN through SIP trunking.
The enhancements included in OCS R2 address many of OCS’s previous gaps related to telephony functionality, although several key capabilities must be addressed before most enterprises will give serious thought to leveraging OCS as a “phone system”. For example, remote site survivability and support for analog devices will be requirements for many business customers. By aggressively pursuing the remaining gaps in OCS’s telephony functionality, Microsoft will continue to make progress in converting those that either dismiss or are skeptical of Microsoft’s future role in telephony to believers and OCS’s role will expand from a collaborative-centric to a complete enterprise-class UC platform.
The battle for dominance in the UC market will be intriguing as the major platforms mature, cloud-based services enter the market, mobility continues its explosive growth, and the industry continues its shift to software-based products. The telephony-focused enhancements contained in OCS R2 will place further pressure on the telephony-centric vendors, as silo-based applications are integrated into multi-application UC platforms and enterprises seek the most cost-effective path to address the forces impacting its communications and collaboration strategies. And with a goal of establishing a dominant position in the UC market, Microsoft has signaled the critical importance of telephony in OCS R2 and its intent to not only complement, but ultimately replace what we know today as the phone system.
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