Microsoft Corp. announced it is extending Microsoft® Office Live Communications Server 2005 capabilities to mobile devices, enabling companies to deploy trusted instant messaging ( IM ) and presence-enabled solutions that provide a consistent experience across PCs and smart mobile devices. As an initial step, the company unveiled plans to deliver a new mobile Live Communications Server 2005 client, for Windows Mobile ( TM ) -based devices.
Based on the user interface of the Microsoft Office Communicator 2005 messaging client, the new Windows Mobile client is designed to provide information workers with a premier mobile collaboration experience through native integration of mobile applications with enterprise-grade, real-time communications tools. Extending Live Communications Server to mobile devices furthers Microsoft’s vision for integrated communications, described by Bill Gates at the Microsoft RTC unified launch event March 8 as giving information workers access to presence and unified modes of communication — e-mail, phone, instant messaging ( IM ), short message service ( SMS ), videoconferencing and webconferencing — across a variety of form factors ( PC, desk phone, mobile device ) and wired or wireless networks.
“Information workers spend a lot of time away from their desks for meetings, travel, customer visits and other demands, and having mobile access to enterprise-grade real-time communications can help them work smarter and more efficiently,” said Gurdeep Pall, corporate vice president for the Real-Time Collaboration Group at Microsoft. “Through the new Windows Mobile client and innovative mobile solutions from a vibrant ecosystem of developer partners, we’ll offer mobile users an integrated communications and presence-sharing experience, all within a security-enhanced, trusted environment.”
For Mobile Workers and Business Customers With beta availability expected in the second half of 2005, the Windows Mobile client will be a premier mobile solution combining the integrated benefits of Windows Mobile and Live Communications Server 2005 and the look and feel of the recently announced Microsoft Office Communicator 2005. It will extend the power of real-time collaboration to Windows Mobile-based devices offered today by 40 device-makers and 67 mobile operators in 48 countries. Businesses running Live Communications Server 2005 and the new Windows Mobile client will have a more secure and robust way to give mobile workers access to integrated Microsoft Office real-time communications tools, such as those that allow them to share rich presence information, make use of multiple modes of real-time communication from one centralized console, and set their own controls on how communications are routed based on their personal preferences.
The new Windows Mobile client with Live Communications Server 2005 will enable a number of new benefits for mobile workers, including the following:
Access while on the go. The Windows Mobile client will give employees access to their corporate IM system and presence-sharing capabilities on a wide variety of Windows Mobile-powered devices operating on all types of wireless networks supported by Windows Mobile devices — including Wi-Fi, GSM and CDMA — making it easier for them to complete important tasks without a VPN connection.
Real-time access to key contacts. The new Windows Mobile client running with Live Communications Server 2005 will help employees stay in touch with key colleagues, partners and customers while in the field to handle time-sensitive requests and make decisions faster. Familiar experience. The Windows Mobile client will deliver remote access to presence and real-time communications tools via a familiar, easy-to-use user interface that is consistent with the Live Communications Server and Microsoft Office Communicator 2005 desktop experience. For Mobile Developers
The Windows Mobile client is a prime example of the rich mobile solutions that developers can build to run with the award-winning Live Communications Server 2005 using the full-featured client and server application programming interfaces ( APIs ) that span the platform as well as standards-based protocol-level integration via SIP, SIMPLE and CSTA over SIP. Microsoft is expanding its Technology Adopter Program ( TAP ) for Live Communications Server to include mobile developers and creating new opportunities for developers through the following:
A new API for Windows Mobile developers. The Windows Mobile client will deliver a new API that will enable the more than 380,000 active Windows Mobile developers worldwide to take advantage of the rich communications capabilities of Live Communications Server in their mobile applications. Network integration with Live Communications Server. Microsoft is driving continuous integration efforts with network equipment vendors that will make emerging wireless network capabilities available to Live Communications Server users and will pave the way for solutions that enable concurrent mobile Live Communications Server connectivity while roaming across LAN, Wi-Fi and mobile networks.
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