Microsoft Communications Server 2010, PBX Killer?

La próxima versión de OCS de Microsoft que verá la luz seguramente a finales del presente año, se ha autodenominado como «PBX Killer». Un nombre bastante agresivo para todos los demás componentes del mundo de las comunicaciones unificadas.

Los aspectos más destacados de la nueva versión de Microsoft Office Communications Server 2010 (MCS 2010 en vez del actual OCS) son los siguientes:

• Ser un software completo de comunicaciones unificadas, con la intención de hacer las centralitas tradicionales innecesarias.
• Mejora la robustez y fiabilidad de las capacidades de OCS 2007 R2
• Más opciones para la supervivencia de oficinas remotas
• Capacidades de enrutamiento en caso de caída de red LAN/WAN o PSTN
• Se supone que el «Remote Call Control» (RCC) seguirá aunque todavía no está del todo claro.
• La capacidad de proporcionar información de ubicación a través de una nueva rol de servidor: Integrated Location Information Server (ILS).
• La información de ubicación puede ser enviada por el canal SIP y utilizadas en el escenarios de emergencia E.911.
• Call Admision control: La capacidad para utilizar la información sobre el ancho de banda disponible y aplicar políticas para permitir o no si una llamada de voz y/o vídeo puede ser iniciada.
• Necesidad de menos servidores que la versión actual.

Por todo esto y bastante más los jugadores tradicionales del mercado de las comunicaciones de empresa tendrán que estar ojo avizor a los movimientos de Microsoft. Según vaya recopilando más información al respecto intentaré publicarla lo antes posible. Más información en http://www.microsoft.com/uc/es/es/default.aspx

PBX killer, Voice CAL coming to OCS in 2010

Here’s what it includes:

The next release of Office Communications Server and Communicator together with Exchange 2010 is currently referred to as UC “Wave 14″ (code-name). The latest publicly available release date is in “late 2010”.

1) A new version of Office Communications Server (likely to be called Microsoft Communications Server 2010).  Here are the highlights:

be a full software powered communications stack, including capabilities intended to make a PBX unnecessary.

enhancements to the resiliency and reliability capabilities of OCS 2007 R2

RCC will still be supported in Wave 14, though the future beyond that is uncertain and Microsoft generally recommends other integration options.

• A full software powered communications stack, including capabilities intended to make a PBX unnecessary.
• Enhancements to the resiliency and reliability capabilities of OCS 2007 R2.
  • More branch office survivability options.
  • There will likely be re-routing capabilities depending on the network or PSTN outage.
• Remote Call Control (RCC) will still be supported in Wave 14, though the future beyond that is uncertain and Microsoft generally recommends other integration options.
• Location Awareness:
  • The ability to provide location information via a new server role: the Integrated Location Information Server (ILS).
  • Location information can be sent on the SIP channel and used in the E.911 scenario.
  • Location information will be integrated into the next release (W14) version of Communicator.
• Call Admission Control:
  • The ability to use bandwidth information and policies to allow or disallow if a video call can be initiated.

2) A new version Office Communicator (code-named “14” right-now).

• Will likely be called Office Communicator 2010.
• The Communicator Tabs extensions will likely be deprecated.
• SharePoint Integration:
  • New Communicator “skill search” functionality built into the next release of Communicator that searches SharePoint profiles to find people with the skills you are looking for.
  • Initiate audio and video communication directly from SharePoint search results.
  • Phonetic based search in Communicator to locate associated SharePoint information.
• Voicemail Features:
  • Visual voicemail capabilities directly integrated into Communicator 14.
  • Multi-language translation capabilities (with Exchange 2010 voicemail integration).
  • Ability to jump to a specific point in voicemail.
• Test Calls: the abilility to place a test call directly from the Communicator client will likely be added.
• Music On Hold (MoH): this functionality will likely move to the client.

3) New OCS Server and Client Development SDK’s:

• A set of fully supported (not just samples) Communicator controls in WPF and Silverlight.
• UCMA 3.0 will be a server-side API with workflow activities.
• Much more information is available in Chris Mayo’s PDC session (see below).
• An Early Adopter Program is available if you are interested in getting an early look at the SDKs (see the UC 14 Metro link below).

In terms of licensing:

Microsoft is launching a promotion through its Software Assurance (SA) maintenance program to offer users up to two years free access to the new Voice CAL coming in OCS 2010.

The new Voice CAL includes, all the current voice functionality in the Enterprise 2007 R2 CAL plus something entitled “enterprise ready voice – PBX Replace Voice,” Branch Survivability, E-911, PSTN Failover and Analog Device Support.

The promotion will provide free access rights to the 2010 and 2011+ versions of the Voice CAL to any company that has SA coverage as of June 30, 2009 on their OCS Enterprise CAL or their Microsoft Enterprise CAL Suite.

Users will have to stay current on SA through the two releases of OCS.

The promotion offer also has the option of free access to only the 2010 version of the Voice CAL to those that purchase after July 1, 2009 an SA contract for their OCS Enterprise CAL or their Microsoft Enterprise CAL Suite.

Users who already have SA on OCS Enterprise CALs or their Microsoft Enterprise CAL Suite only have to keep their contracts current to get the new Voice CAL at no additional charge.