Shot Heard Round the VoIP World

This study discusses the June 26, 2006, announcement by Microsoft concerning its approach to unified communications, the fulfillment of a number of major previous initiatives across separate business units. In this announcement, VoIP was unveiled as an integrated but potentially wholly distinct product offering signifying the company's entrance into a new market segment. This study looks at the significance of the announcement, with a particular emphasis on VoIP; evaluates Microsoft's new offerings in VoIP and implications for both enterprise and carrier environments; and provides our assessment on the effect of the company's new competitive thrust with respect to existing PBX and IP PBX markets. "In pursuing voice under the unified communications umbrella, the company is getting a double hit. It is moving into a new and lucrative market and at the same time using VoIP to enhance the value of its existing real-time collaboration suite," said Tom Valovic, IDC's program director for VoIP Infrastructure.

Companies Mentioned: Microsoft; Nortel; Avaya; Siemens; BT; Genesys; Mitel; PolyCom; Verizon; Sylantro; Skype; Bell Canada