Office Live Communications Server Reaches RTM
Microsoft Office Live Communications Server 2003, previously known as "RTC Server" and code-named "Greenwich," has been released to manufacturing.
The server is a new addition to the Office System, billed to deliver standards-based real-time communications capabilities such as presence awareness and instant messaging to enhance decision making and productivity in the workplace.
An e-mail sent to beta testers read, "We are pleased to announce that the product will be available for purchase in the coming months. Your bug reports and suggestions for improving Live Communications Server have helped us to build a great product."
"As part of the release to manufacturing, the evaluation version of Live Communications Server is available for download from www.betaplace.com. The evaluation version expires 120-days from time of install."
BetaNews obtained exclusive details outlining the Greenwich product roadmap in October of last year. A plethora of new features are planned for future updates to Live Communications Server, as the stakes to own a piece of the enterprise market continue to swell.
Live Communications Server version 2 is slated provide further integration within Microsoft Office, scheduled multi-party audio and video and data collaboration, in addition to extended mobile capabilities. Windows, MSN Messenger and NetMeeting will serve as the clients for Microsoft's future RTC services.
Microsoft is not the only company furthering its communications offerings. Yahoo! has partnered with VeriSign to develop a secure instant messaging alternative, and America Online has added encryption features to its products.
This week, a 2001 FCC ruling that once barred AOL from further developing its instant messenger was lifted, shifting the tides of the communications marketplace once more.
As competition heats up, real-time communications vendors are talking less interoperability, while pushing for more sales.