Close
  • Latest News
  • Big Data and Analytics
  • Cloud
  • Networking
  • Cybersecurity
  • Applications
  • IT Management
  • Storage
  • Sponsored
  • Mobile
  • Small Business
  • Development
  • Database
  • Servers
  • Android
  • Apple
  • Innovation
  • Blogs
  • PC Hardware
  • Reviews
  • Search Engines
  • Virtualization
Read Down
Sign in
Close
Welcome!Log into your account
Forgot your password?
Read Down
Password recovery
Recover your password
Close
Search
Menu
Search
  • Latest News
  • Big Data and Analytics
  • Cloud
  • Networking
  • Cybersecurity
  • Applications
  • IT Management
  • Storage
  • Sponsored
  • Mobile
  • Small Business
  • Development
  • Database
  • Servers
  • Android
  • Apple
  • Innovation
  • Blogs
  • PC Hardware
  • Reviews
  • Search Engines
  • Virtualization
More
    Home Latest News
    • Networking

    Microsoft, Nortel Push Unified Communications at VoiceCon

    By
    Paula Musich
    -
    August 22, 2006
    Share
    Facebook
    Twitter
    Linkedin

      SAN FRANCISCO—Microsoft, with the help of new alliance partner Nortel Networks, sought to build momentum for its fledgling Unified Communications initiative at the VoiceCon conference here. But the success of Microsofts efforts is not assured, and its initial foray into the IP telephony market raised more questions than it answered.

      Microsofts aim is to become an IP telephony provider by implementing such functions as call control in software, running on standard, off-the-shelf hardware.

      Both Microsoft and Nortel believe commoditization will rule the IP Telephony space in the future because it can drive down costs over more expensive, vertically integrated hardware-based offerings sold today, according to Ed Wadbrook, senior director of industry initiatives for Microsoft, in Redmond, Wash.

      The two vendors are working together on multiple fronts to bring forward their shared vision for unified communications. They are cross-licensing technology in order to build out a software base on functions, including call control, voice mail and conferencing, on a single software platform. They will co-market joint offerings and Nortel is building a services and systems integration capability around unified communications.

      Today Nortels Call Server 1000 is integrated with Microsofts Live Communications Server and Nortel provides integration services around that combined offering, according to Ruchi Prasad, vice president of global marketing enterprise solutions at Nortel, in Richardson, Texas.

      As a part of the two vendors road map of deliverables, they are scheduled to roll out integration of LCS, to be renamed Office Communications Server 2007, with Nortel contact center, IVR (Integrated Voice Response) and audio conferencing applications. At the same time, Nortel will sell bundled offerings that combine voice and data networking products that have been tested to work with OCS traffic flows, Prasad said.

      And in the first quarter of 2007, Nortels Call Server 1000 will be “hardware-agnostic,” allowing the functions of the server to operate on any blade server, Prasad said.

      Further out in 2008, the two vendors will deliver “100 percent software-based advanced telephony features, mobility, contact center and other advanced voice applications,” she added.

      But with IP telephony growing quickly and large-scale deployments ramping up, Microsoft hopes to freeze the market while its own initiative progresses, according to Zeus Kerravala, an industry analyst with Yankee Group Research, in Boston.

      For 10 percent of the enterprises he works with, Microsofts admonishment to “Put down the pen” on RFPs they are preparing is working, Kerravala said, adding that this is largely because of fear. “If it doesnt work, you get fired,” he said.

      /zimages/1/28571.gifClick here to read more about Microsofts Unified Communications road map.

      But not all enterprises see it that way. “Integrating voice and data is happening at a low level today. You cant wait till the rich capabilities are all there. Go build your infrastructure first and then build on top of it your business requirements,” urged Bernard ONeill, vice president of network services at Prudential Financial, in Roseland, N.J.

      Prudential in fact upgraded its WAN (wide-area network) services to MPLS (Multiprotocol Label Switching), and it is doing an internal infrastructure upgrade for IP telephony, he added.

      Another customer at a large insurance company, who asked not to be identified, said waiting for Microsofts initiative to unfold will not be necessary.

      As a newcomer to the IP telephony space, Microsoft will also have to prove it can deliver on its Unified Communications vision in a way that is reliable, secure and at an acceptable quality level, the customer said.

      /zimages/1/28571.gif Check out eWEEK.coms for the latest news, views and analysis on voice over IP and telephony.

      Paula Musich

      MOST POPULAR ARTICLES

      Android

      Samsung Galaxy XCover Pro: Durability for Tough...

      Chris Preimesberger - December 5, 2020 0
      Have you ever dropped your phone, winced and felt the pain as it hit the sidewalk? Either the screen splintered like a windshield being...
      Read more
      Cloud

      Why Data Security Will Face Even Harsher...

      Chris Preimesberger - December 1, 2020 0
      Who would know more about details of the hacking process than an actual former career hacker? And who wants to understand all they can...
      Read more
      Cybersecurity

      How Veritas Is Shining a Light Into...

      eWEEK EDITORS - September 25, 2020 0
      Protecting data has always been one of the most important tasks in all of IT, yet as more companies become data companies at the...
      Read more
      Big Data and Analytics

      How NVIDIA A100 Station Brings Data Center...

      Zeus Kerravala - November 18, 2020 0
      There’s little debate that graphics processor unit manufacturer NVIDIA is the de facto standard when it comes to providing silicon to power machine learning...
      Read more
      Apple

      Why iPhone 12 Pro Makes Sense for...

      Wayne Rash - November 26, 2020 0
      If you’ve been watching the Apple commercials for the past three weeks, you already know what the company thinks will happen if you buy...
      Read more

      eWeek has the latest technology news and analysis, buying guides, and product reviews for IT professionals and technology buyers. The site’s focus is on innovative solutions and covering in-depth technical content. eWeek stays on the cutting edge of technology news and IT trends through interviews and expert analysis. Gain insight from top innovators and thought leaders in the fields of IT, business, enterprise software, startups, and more.

      Facebook
      Linkedin
      RSS
      Twitter
      Youtube

      Advertisers

      Advertise with TechnologyAdvice on eWeek and our other IT-focused platforms.

      Advertise with Us

      Menu

      • About eWeek
      • Subscribe to our Newsletter
      • Latest News

      Our Brands

      • Privacy Policy
      • Terms
      • About
      • Contact
      • Advertise
      • Sitemap
      • California – Do Not Sell My Information

      Property of TechnologyAdvice.
      © 2021 TechnologyAdvice. All Rights Reserved

      Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the products that appear on this site are from companies from which TechnologyAdvice receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site including, for example, the order in which they appear. TechnologyAdvice does not include all companies or all types of products available in the marketplace.

      ×