Next-generation UC soon available

By Garry Ackerman for Galdondata

Johannesburg, 22 Jul 2010

Microsoft recently announced the next version of its Unified Communications (UC) software, code-named Communications Server “14”, will be available towards the end of 2010 and will help make communications simpler, more open and more cost-efficient.

Galdon Data director Garry Ackerman says the new software includes a complete communications solution with full enterprise telephony.

“It is a familiar and powerful way to communicate and collaborate using a sleek, simplified Communicator client that works with Microsoft Office, Microsoft SharePoint Server and Microsoft Exchange; and a versatile platform that allows customers to embed communications in applications.

“In addition, customers will be able to use instant messaging, presence and other capabilities of the software both on-premises and in the cloud with Microsoft Office Communications Online,” he explains.

Among the many new capabilities, Communications Server “14” helps find people based on their expertise through a new skill search feature. It understands when colleagues are available to collaborate and, with a new location-awareness feature, where they are available. One can easily initiate collaboration and bring together the content, resources and people needed to work together.

Three years ago, business communications technology began the transformation from technology silos into an integrated software platform. Now, Microsoft's unified communications software has been adopted broadly by millions of customers. Forrester Research estimates the market for unified communications software will grow to $14.5 billion (about R120 billion) by 2015.

Ackerman says technologies such as Communications Server “14” will mark a new era in business communications. “In the next three years, more than 75% of new business applications will include embedded unified communications, and plain business calls will become outdated with more than 50% of voice over Internet Protocol (VOIP) calls incorporating more than just voice.

“With software at the centre, innovation in this industry has accelerated, leading to the introduction of new capabilities that leapfrog traditional hardware-bound communications systems. Customers have flocked to Office Communications Server since its introduction in October 2007, because businesses are quickly seeing cost savings and productivity gains,” he says.

Today, Office Communications Server is one of the fastest growing servers at Microsoft, with double-digit growth over the past three years. Fortune 500 companies, top pharmaceutical firms, successful financial institutions and large communications providers now use Office Communications Server.

For more information, contact Galdon Data on (011) 805 4420 or e-mail sales@galdon.co.za.

Galdon Data

Galdon Data is an information technology (IT) services company that specialises in providing solutions for business process automation and unified communications. This encompasses information capture, business information delivery, convergence and document solutions using the Microsoft, Captaris and Autonomy (Cardiff) range of products.

Galdon Data is accredited as a Certified Microsoft Gold Partner and has been a Microsoft partner since 1998. The company holds competencies for Information Worker, Data Management and Unified Communication & Collaboration, specialising in voice. It was also selected by Microsoft to be one of very limited number of members of the Unified Communications Voice Partner Programme worldwide and the first in Southern Africa to achieve this status. This distinction solidifies Galdon Data's expertise in Microsoft's Unified Communications solutions, including Exchange Server 2007 and Office Communicator 2007.

As an AmVia Platinum Partner, Galdon in the enviable position of being the largest CallXpress (unified messaging) and RightFax (business information delivery like fax, e-mail and Web) service company, with the largest service market share, in Southern Africa. Many of those clients are serviced through our business partners. Galdon Data's experience extends beyond the implementation and/or support of 400 unified messaging (voice and/or fax) sites. Our experience with unified messaging and auto-attendants implementation extends since 2000.

Galdon Data is proud of its the highly skilled team of Microsoft Solution specialists that focuses on assisting customers understand various Microsoft technologies and advises them as to which technologies best suit their business requirements. These services range from business productivity infrastructure optimisation workshops, consulting around business requirements and business analysis. These areas of customer engagement are key in helping Galdon understand its customers better. Its expertise in Microsoft solution design, development and implementation allows it to tailor solutions around individual customer environments.

Galdon Data is a company boasting 40 highly skilled and certified staff members, with national representation in Johannesburg, Durban, Cape Town and Port Elizabeth. Galdon Data is also a black empowered company with shareholding from Abnoba. For more information, visit http://www.galdon.co.za.

Editorial contacts