Close
  • Latest News
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Video
  • 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
Logo
Logo
  • Latest News
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Video
  • 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

      Microsoft Merges RTC, Exchange Teams

      Written by

      Peter Galli
      Published January 30, 2006
      Share
      Facebook
      Twitter
      Linkedin

        eWEEK content and product recommendations are editorially independent. We may make money when you click on links to our partners. Learn More.

        As Microsoft executives continue to align the company around three distinct business units, they have decided to merge the Exchange and Real-Time Collaboration groups into a unit known as the Unified Communications Group.

        This new combined group will be led by Anoop Gupta, the current corporate vice president of the Real-Time Collaboration group, and will become part of Microsofts Business Division, which is led by president Jeff Raikes.

        But the move would have no impact on the timing or feature sets for the next generation of products currently under development, including Exchange 12, a Microsoft spokesperson said Jan. 30, adding that the reorganization “is part of Microsofts commitment to effectively align the company and its three distinct business units. This is an effort we began in September.”

        /zimages/4/28571.gifRead more here about Microsofts reorganization.

        But, while Microsoft is identifying the Unified Communications Group as a new entity, a smaller UCG team has been operating inside the company for some time, according to sources claiming familiarity with Microsofts plans.

        The original UCG has been working on a hosted real-time-collaboration suite that will likely include e-mail, unified messaging, instant messaging, VOIP (voice over IP) and data-conferencing capabilities all rolled into a single bundle, sources have told Microsoft Watch.

        Such a bundle would not be unprecedented. Microsoft is building up its family of hosted SMB offerings.

        Windows OneCare Live—the hosted security service (composed of firewall, anti-virus, anti-spyware and data-backup functionality)—is an example of one such service.

        The sources said the UCG was planning to target SMBs who are interested in an integrated communications experience that will be managed by others—most likely Microsoft partners (or maybe even Microsoft itself).

        Microsoft will pitch the hosted bundle as an easy way for smaller companies to enjoy features such as intelligent call routing, auto-attendant voice response, and the like.

        /zimages/4/28571.gifTo read more about Microsofts post-reorg services, click here.

        When asked last year about the UCGs plans for a hosted real-time collaboration suite, a Microsoft spokesperson said: “While Microsoft believes that businesses both large and small can benefit from unified, real-time communications, we dont have a product as you describe to announce at this time.”

        The latest move made sense as customers seek an integrated communications experience that enables them to communicate intuitively and seamlessly, from e-mail to instant messaging, VOIP, and audio/video/Web conferencing, the spokesperson said.

        “The merger of the teams aligns our efforts internally and allows us to more rapidly and effectively address these customer needs. This new organization will aggressively drive forward and sustain the momentum of existing Exchange and RTC businesses,” the spokesperson said.

        Microsoft has also posted a question and answer with Gupta on the Microsoft PressPass site.

        Additional reporting by Mary Jo Foley, Microsoft Watch.

        /zimages/4/28571.gifCheck out eWEEK.coms for Microsoft and Windows news, views and analysis.

        Peter Galli
        Peter Galli
        Peter Galli has been a technology reporter for 12 years at leading publications in South Africa, the UK and the US. He has comprehensively covered Microsoft and its Windows and .Net platforms, as well as the many legal challenges it has faced. He has also focused on Sun Microsystems and its Solaris operating environment, Java and Unix offerings. He covers developments in the open source community, particularly around the Linux kernel and the effects it will have on the enterprise. He has written extensively about new products for the Linux and Unix platforms, the development of open standards and critically looked at the potential Linux has to offer an alternative operating system and platform to Windows, .Net and Unix-based solutions like Solaris.

        Get the Free Newsletter!

        Subscribe to Daily Tech Insider for top news, trends & analysis

        Get the Free Newsletter!

        Subscribe to Daily Tech Insider for top news, trends & analysis

        MOST POPULAR ARTICLES

        Artificial Intelligence

        9 Best AI 3D Generators You Need...

        Sam Rinko - June 25, 2024 0
        AI 3D Generators are powerful tools for many different industries. Discover the best AI 3D Generators, and learn which is best for your specific use case.
        Read more
        Cloud

        RingCentral Expands Its Collaboration Platform

        Zeus Kerravala - November 22, 2023 0
        RingCentral adds AI-enabled contact center and hybrid event products to its suite of collaboration services.
        Read more
        Artificial Intelligence

        8 Best AI Data Analytics Software &...

        Aminu Abdullahi - January 18, 2024 0
        Learn the top AI data analytics software to use. Compare AI data analytics solutions & features to make the best choice for your business.
        Read more
        Latest News

        Zeus Kerravala on Networking: Multicloud, 5G, and...

        James Maguire - December 16, 2022 0
        I spoke with Zeus Kerravala, industry analyst at ZK Research, about the rapid changes in enterprise networking, as tech advances and digital transformation prompt...
        Read more
        Video

        Datadog President Amit Agarwal on Trends in...

        James Maguire - November 11, 2022 0
        I spoke with Amit Agarwal, President of Datadog, about infrastructure observability, from current trends to key challenges to the future of this rapidly growing...
        Read more
        Logo

        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.
        © 2024 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.

        ×