Microsoft unified communications technologies use software to deliver presence and complete communication—e-mail, IM, voice, and video—across the applications and devices that people use every day.

Telephones run on switched networks, computers on IP networks. This fundamental challenge forces businesses to invest in two complex infrastructures, each with specialists and maintenance costs.

By using software to unify telecommunications systems and IP networks, Microsoft unified communications technologies help simplify administration across the board.

Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 brings significant performance improvements, including a new management platform. Unified messaging saves the costs of maintaining a separate voice mail infrastructure.

Built-in protection for your business communications helps protect against spam and malicious attacks, addresses compliance and privacy concerns, and helps ensure business continuity.

Microsoft Office Communications Server 2007 works with legacy telecommunications infrastructures. You can deploy VoIP and keep your current PBX and telephony hardware.

The 2007 Microsoft Office release gains many additional features, including fully integrated presence technology when it is deployed in a unified communications environment.

Microsoft Office Communicator 2007 is the primary place you can find and connect with people through presence and real-time communication technology such as instant messaging and audio- or videoconferencing.

You can take Microsoft unified communications technologies on the road with any Windows Mobile powered device and still access communications tools over the Internet or any telephone.

Products using Microsoft unified communications technologies include Office Communications Server 2007, Office Communicator 2007, Exchange Server 2007, the 2007 Microsoft Office system, and many more.

Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 manages all asynchronous communications and delivers unified messaging (e-mail, voice mail, faxes, and calendaring) to users’ inboxes in Microsoft Office Outlook 2007.

The 2007 Microsoft Office system takes full advantage of Microsoft unified communications technologies by including features like presence technology, document workspaces, and team sites.

Microsoft Office Live Communications Server 2005, predecessor to Microsoft Office Communications Server 2007, delivers presence information and instant messaging through Microsoft Office Communicator 2005.

Microsoft Exchange Hosted Services provides an enterprise-grade e-mail security service that helps protect against attacks, satisfies compliance requirements, encrypts data, and preserves e-mail access.

Microsoft Solution for Hosted Messaging and Collaboration gives hosting providers the tools to deploy revenue-generating services like enterprise-class e-mail, calendaring, contacts, and real-time collaboration.

Microsoft Office Live Meeting service (2007) helps you collaborate online with colleagues, customers, and partners in real time. Connect with individuals or large groups using a PC and an Internet connection.

Microsoft RoundTable, a conference phone with a built-in 360-degree camera, uses advanced speech recognition to follow the conversation, identifying active speakers and broadcasting their faces close-up.

For organizations with mobile workers, Windows Mobile powered solutions provide access to e-mail, contacts, calendar, and tasks to help increase employee productivity and responsiveness.

Microsoft partners offer unified communications solutions that can help make your business future-ready, streamline communications between your people and organizations, and increase operational efficiency.

Benefits of Microsoft unified communications technologies include maximized use of existing infrastructure, streamlined communications, increased operational efficiency, and simplified system security.