Microsoft software based Voip

In 2007, Microsoft Software announced their new VoIP software. The launch of their new software placed Microsoft in direct competition with several other software companies.

A large benefit to Microsoft Software's VoIP is how it is distributed. Microsoft tied their VoIP service into their Microsoft Office applications and made VoIP another software feature instead of a standalone product that requires the use of technicians to install it.

VoIP (voice over IP) software is used in several places to replace the use of traditional telephones. VoIP software is used like a traditional telephone to conduct conversations across IP based networks. Several big cities use VoIP to replace traditional telephones because it is cheaper and can remove geographic phone restrictions.

Jeff Raikes, President of Microsoft's Business Division has predicted Microsoft's VoIP software as the "most important new communication technology since Microsoft Outlook 1997 and within 3 years there will be a hundred million or more people able to make phone calls from Outlook, SharePoint and other Microsoft Office System applications."

Microsoft's VoIP software will allow users to initiate calls, audio and videoconferences, instant messages, and other media through Office applications like Outlook and SharePoint Server. Users will be able to work together in real time using any device anywhere in the world.

Mobile users of Microsoft's VoIP software can use their office number or other tools like text messaging, audio or videoconferences, through Windows Mobile operating system. Voicemail message will be heard through the same interface and will be able to record and store all of the communications.

Microsoft's VoIP software service is known as SIP (session initiation protocol). Microsoft's VoIP is the solution for many companies with a wide range of handsets, conference stations, and paging equipment. SIP-based phone calls are able to be placed over Microsoft's Office Communicator software. What this means is your support helpdesk can have several different kinds of telephone applications such as voice, video, and desktop sharing, all integrated into one single server application. A laptop user will be able to take their software-based phone just about anywhere on the VoIP network and can connect anywhere at any time.

SIP will also allow OCS users to communicate with other VoIP PBX system. This basically means a call can be switched between phone users on an OCS server. For a company who has an existing IP phone network, this is an important because they can add OCS and take advantage of the VoIP.

VoIP software will help your company with a number of factors including:

• Reduce IT server assets for voice


• Utilize IT staff and back office systems for voice operations


• Integrate voice with other software applications and business processes

While VoIP is the new wave of technology, there are a couple factors you need to evaluate before you sign on.

First, find out if the VoIP service will support standard SIP-based softphone or hard phone. Second, find out the availability features, can your office function during an IP failure?

VoIP software allows businesses to improve their IT asset investments and they are able to make better use of IT staff's time. VoIP will reduce the cost of phone charges you typically pay and will allow you to connect to a wider array of clients on an easier basis. By incorporating VoIP, you will notice improved employee productivity, increased product and service revenue and increased customer service and satisfaction.

In the next few years to come, there will be other technology breakthroughs from Microsoft. Currently, Microsoft is working on a new sound codec. This sound codec will optimize the quality of calls in low-bandwidth environments. The new codec will be completely software based which means it will not require DSP hardware and can be run on mobile devices, low-cost IP phones, and a new version of Office Communicator.