Microsoft and Nortel Tighten Unified Communications Ties

Microsoft and Nortel Networks are closing ranks around unified communications with new details this week about plans to build on their existing alliance to create new carrier-class solutions delivering managed services for corporate customers.

The vendors said they are working together to develop hosted, IP-based services that will support a variety of collaborative applications, including e-mail, videoconferencing and IM.Specifically, Nortel is integrating its Communications Server 2000 softswitch with the Microsoft Solution for Hosted Messaging and Collaboration. The latter product comprises hosted versions of Microsoft Exchange, Live Communications Server and Windows SharePoint services. Nortel is also planning to deliver integration services through its Global Services group to speed up unified communications application implementations.

Trials of the integrated solution are expected to start in the second half of this year. The vendors expect a product to ship before the end of 2007.

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