Dissecting Microsoft's VoIP plan

The first of a two part series discusses Microsoft's VoIP plan and the issues of VoIP and reliability. There is plenty of uncertainty in the corporate VoIP arena, as reflected in a recent series of consolidations and private-equity buyouts. One thing users can be sure of, though, is Microsoft's intent to become a large player in corporate IP telephony and messaging. Well known by now, the centerpiece of Microsoft's VoIP bid is Office Communications Server (OCS) 2007, a real-time collaboration server that has elicited much buzz and controversy in the industry for a product not even available for purchase yet. Enhanced 911 service support was a major stumbling block for VoIP when it emerged in the consumer market several years ago. Technical issues, and some well-publicized incidents of failed emergency response from service providers, forced the FCC to step in with special 911 requirements for Internet phone service providers.