Microsoft India announced the availability of its Unified Communications (UC) software following the global launch by Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates in San Francisco last week. The announcement marks a major step towards streamlining workplace communication and reducing the cost of the average corporate VoIP system by half.  The software will enable employees within organizations to be able to communicate and collaborate through e-mails, phone call, Instant Messaging, video conference in a very simple, efficient manner through any device such as a Computer, cell phone or even a public phone, while in Office or on the move allowing them to be more productive.

Microsoft's Unified Communications and VoIP software launched today includes Microsoft Office Communications Server 2007, Microsoft Office Communicator, Microsoft Office Live Meeting, and the Service Pack Update of Microsoft Exchange Server 2007.

"Unified Communications Software will redefine the way organizations communicate and collaborate both in India and around the world.' Said Eric Swift, Senior Director, Unified Communications Group. 'Microsoft's Software based approach is unique and is expected to usher in changes to enterprise voice communication that will fundamentally transforming business communications. Leading IT Global Research firms like Gartner have validated our approach by positioning Microsoft as one of the leaders in the Unified Communication space due to the completeness of our vision and our capability to execute this solution.'

'As businesses expand their geographical footprint and grow employee strength, we believe a Unified Communications solution will become an integral tool to ensure anytime anywhere access and will significantly impact organizational productivity.' added Sanjay Manchanda, Director, Information Worker Business Group, Microsoft India.

Microsoft's UC solution offers substantial cost savings to customers also because it allows businesses to leverage existing IT and Telephony infrastructure, with no need to rip and replace current telephony infrastructure such as EPBAX systems.