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Microsoft Starts Testing New Web-Based Phone Service

Redmond`s software giant Microsoft announced last week that testing of a new computer server application that allows corporate customers to make internet-based phone calls has commenced. The new sever software will lays on the Office suite of business software and work through it making Microsoft Office a much more powerful end-user product. Microsoft Office Communications Server 2007 is scheduled for an April-June release, and testing is currently underway.

Microsoft wants to make the product fully operational for its official release, and said that prior to April-June release date, some 2,500 companies will be able to test the product and comment on its features. The new application is so powerful, because it enables users to initiative instant phone calls with other Office users by clicking on that person`s name. Almost the entire business world today uses the Office suite, meaning that companies can call other companies instantly through the Office interface.

The process is very simple. For instance, if you get an email from another company that also uses Microsoft Outlook, you will be able to phone that individual by pressing on his/hers name through the Microsoft Outlook interface. The application, when available, can revolutionize the entire working process of many companies, and will surely affect anyone who uses the Microsoft Office suite, meaning almost all of us. Microsoft`s CEO, Steve Ballmer, said that in ten years all business communication will be based on such a platform. With the new application it seems that Microsoft is planning to lead the change.