Microsoft Communications Server Moving into Mainstream

NEC Unified Communications Customer Alert

Updated: April 07, 2011

MCS Expo will be held June 15-16 - Boulder - For more and free weekly newsletter go to http://www.mcsforum.org
An independent view of Microsoft Communications Server Microsoft is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation

NOTE: Microsoft has deleted the term Office and now refers the product as Microsoft Communications Server 14 which is why we changed the name to MCS. Microsoft may make further name changes. Some companies may refer to the product as OCS-Office Communications Server or MCS. MCS Forum Expo Speaker Presentations Expanded to include:

• "Managing Migration Madness" Migration-Survivability-Reliability - Microsoft MCS Migration - from start to finish
• Using Active Directory to smooth organization migration to MCS
• Drop and Insert - adding MCS without spending money on older TDM PBXs
• Branch Offices and MCS - Survivability techniques
• Improving Reliability at the core with "Crossover Gateway Resiliency"
• AudioCodes SPS - When it's time to forklift out the PBX - PBX to MCS - No Rush - Easing the Transition"
• SIP Trunking with MCS - Interoperability and Security Solutions

NEW - Security, Management and Compliance for OCS Whether it's ensuring your users only utilize OCS and blocking access to other real time communications tool, or applying disclaimers, setting user policy and archiving chats for compliance, FaceTime's solutions integrate full with OCS. From OCS Platform reporting to ethical walls in Group Chat, and Live Meeting management and recording you'll find out more about:

• Key capabilities that help you maximize return on your OCS investment
• Getting complete visibility and reporting over employee use of UC and implementing specific acceptable use policies across all modalities
• Extending your current message retention architecture to accommodate regulatory and eDiscovery requirements for OCS
• OCS Call Admission Control policy management and reporting
• OCS session data recording and reporting
• Managing, monitoring and recording Live Meeting, Group Chat
• How FaceTime integrates with Microsoft OCS, Active Directory and other existing network infrastructure technologies

Key requirements of a highly scalable architecture for supporting corporate and mobile workers in a UC environment.

MCS & QoS "Irrational Exuberance" - Myth versus Reality - MCS platform is not QoS-Ready - Understanding the Myth of QoS in today's network

• Testing your QoS today - Benchmarks, whoops and RGE
• Planning the "endpoint-to-endpoint" impact of an MCS integration
• Analyze your infrastructure: - Hardstuff - routers, switches, cable, power, WiFi and . . - Softstuff - training, support, users, Office 2010 featureset, what else
• Upgrading your infrastructure - building in QoS for today and tomorrow
• Test your infrastructure and then test it again - lessons learned from Toyota
• Dealing with the Extinction of the PBX - dial plans, routing, call centers, etc.
• Phase in the MCS integration
• Internal deployment
• External deployment
• Voice deployment
• Advanced/Enterprise deployment

MCS from Past to Presence - By 2012 Presence will be the standard - 80s someone called your desk (pink message slip) - Then voice mail could be sent to another location - Now can enable and block presence. Partners and vendors can see your calendar, live meetings cut travel times, traceable IMs allow for instant communication

You Can Set MCS and Forget It

MCS vs PBX - Why? - Can I leverage my current equipment? - Get rid of your PBX lines - Projects on IT lists can be rolled into MCS

- MCS Will Replace Email - But Don't Tell Microsoft - Gen Y isn't emailing - Exchange will be a Unified Communication platform - Will reduce email storage space

- Traceback Traceability - Social networking - companies don't know what employees are saying - Allow employees to communicate but protect your liability MCS-SIP Future Network Architecture

MCS/SIP-Session Initiation Protocol Network Architectures: - Signaling-Server Virtualization - Benefits of Server Virtualization aka Abstraction - Distributed user endpoints and application servers - Scalable growth with QoS-Quality of Service control abstraction - MACS* via signaling "abstraction" *Moves, Adds, Changes & SAS-Stand Alone Survivability - SAS enables backup for SIP devices by the multiple "abstract" local or cloud SBC-Session Border Controllers and Media Gateway(s).

- Trunking - Benefits of SIP Trunking - Session and Signaling control layers for: - On-net (IP PBX to IP PBX) - Off-net (IP PBX to local PSTN) - Off-net (IP PBX to LD/IDDD PSTN) - SPOC/SMOC-Single/Multiple Point of Connection - National control points for access (vendors) - Migration path to ALL-SIP & IMS-3GPP

- Number Transparency - Benefits of Number Transparency - End-to-end media control (transparency) for voice or other media types - Access to SS7-Signaling System 7 applications for text messaging, mobility or call center routing - Enterprise control over call completion whether PSTN or SIP rather than provider - Migration path to E.164 & IMS-IP Multimedia Service & 3GPP-Third Generation Partner Project Release 6

- Routing - Benefits of SIP Routing - Eliminates "mesh" network mess - Add intelligent Session Layer 5 routing - Maintains end-to-end media transparency - Add media CoS-Classes of Service - Adds SPOC-Single Point of Contact with NOC-Network Operations Center - Migration path to ALL-SIP & IMS-3GPP

- Proxy Peering Networks - Benefits of SIP Proxy Peering Networks - Platform for multi-vendor services - Ensures multiple CoS & QoS options - Migration path to ALL-SIP & IMS-3GPP - Foundation for any future network needs

Here's some of the great MCS solutions presenting at MCS Forum Expo:

Fontel Presents MCS Solutions Fontel, Inc. is a wholesale distributor specializing in MCS optimized end-point devices. Our GN Jabra headsets offer a seamless intuitive communication experience. Jabra has been working with Microsoft since the very first deployment. Today, Jabra offers the most extensive portfolio of headset solutions optimized for MCS in the market. We also offer MCS optimized web camera's and speakerphones! Call us at 800-238-0787, e-mail sales(at)fontel.com or visit our web site at www.fontel.com

911 ETC Presents MCS Solutions VoIPConnect is a monthly subscription service that provides organizations with E911 connectivity to PSAP-Public Service Answering Point's. Using a SIP-Session Initiation Protocol or PSTN-Public Switched Telephone Network connection, 911 calls are routed to a Voice Positioning Server, which then delivers the call and precise location information to the appropriate PSAP. In addition, 911 ETC's SoftLoc application can prompt a soft phone client to update their location information in real time for accurate 911 call delivery. For more information visit www.911etc.com.

FaceTime Communications presents Security, Management and Compliance for OC Whether it's ensuring your users only utilize MCS and blocking access to other real time communications tool, or applying disclaimers, setting user policy and archiving chats for compliance, FaceTime's solutions integrate full with MCS. From MCS Platform reporting to ethical walls in Group Chat, and Live Meeting management and recording you'll find it all - click here.

Gold Systems presents MCS Solutions Gold Systems is a unified communications specialist and a Microsoft Gold Certified Managed Partner, developing voice-driven solutions using IVR and speech recognition. Offerings include phone self-service and contact center solutions built on Office Communications Server 2007 R2, and unified messaging deployment and telephony interfaces to Exchange Server 2010. www.goldsys.com Phone 303-447-2774 - email websales(at)goldsys.com

SNOM presents MCS Solutions snom technology is a global manufacturer of SIP-based IP telephones for business, carrier and high-end consumer markets. Based on open standards, feature-rich and affordable, snom's products are engineered to fulfil their vision of ubiquitous, standards-based VoIP/SIP/MCS. Based in Berlin, snom's sales/distribution network extends to over 40 countries at www.snom.com

AudioCodes Presents MCS Solutions AudioCodes is a leading manufacturer of Media Gateways for Microsoft Unified Messaging & Unified Communications, including Microsoft Office Communications Server 2007 R2. Utilizing AudioCodes Media Gateways, businesses are able to interface Microsoft communications applications to a wide range of TDM PBXs, IP-PBX, SIP Trunking and legacy PSTN trunking facilities. With unsurpassed voice quality, reliability, flexibility and scalability, AudioCodes Media Gateways have earned many accolades and should be your first choice when deploying Microsoft Unified Communications. Visit www.audiocodes.com/microsoft for more information.

NOVUS presents MCS Solutions Since 1983, Novus, LLC has been supporting manufacturers' reseller channels worldwide, serving over 15 countries on 4-continents. Engaged at the inception of VoIP, our thorough understanding of VAR's needs and end-user expectations has positioned Novus as the leading distributor of snom IP telephones deployed on Microsofts' MCS platform at www.novusllc.com

NET presents MCS Solutions NET's VX Series Intelligent Voice Gateways and Switches are specifically designed to provide the enterprise-class integration, interoperability, and security with scalability required for successful adoption of VoIP and Unified Communications into new and existing voice and PBX environments. Founded in 1983, NET (Network Equipment Technologies Inc.) is headquartered in Fremont California at www.net.com.

Aastra presents MCS Solutions Aastra USA is the North American business unit of Aastra Technologies Limited, (TSX:"AAH"), a leading company at the forefront of the enterprise communications market. With more than 50 million installed lines around the world, offers one of the most complete portfolios of unified communications solutions available today. www.aastrausa.com.

FaxCore presents MCS Solutions at OCS Expo FaxCore is the 21st century fax solution that combines the Microsoft .NET platform, a web interface and innovative fax over IP deployment opportunities into a single solution. A strategic partner of Dialogic, means all the advantages of the Dialogic platform are leveraged by FaxCore for leading edge deployments and unparalleled reliability. Click her for www.faxcore.com for more information.

GreenAppx presents MCS Solutions GreenAppX has assembled the industry-leading applications for corporate 1) email, 2) network security, 3) data back-up and 4) office processes. These four categories contain critical applications that are crucial to the day-to-day management of any business. The start-up and recurring expense associated with traditional software deployments addressing these four categories are beyond the budgets of most small to mid-size enterprises. Click here for www.greenappx.com for more information.

Uncommon Solutions presents MCS Solutions Uncommon Solutions' MCS-certified engineers design, deploy and integrate MCS solutions. We are a Microsoft Gold Partner with the 1st Microsoft-approved MCS appliance designed to facilitate real-time communication services and improve business processes. Uncommon Solutions is uncommon in our ability to address business goals with IT solutions that measure cost against value. Click here www.uncommonsolutions.com for more information.

911 Enable Presents MCS Solutions 911 Enable provides simple to deploy, easy to manage E911 solutions for IP telephony, including a solution designed to meet the unique requirements of Microsoft MCS. Its solutions include a national E911 call routing service, automated phone tracking appliance, and security desk notification system, which help organizations reduce liability concerns and meet E911 regulations. Click here www.911enable.com for more information.

About TECHtionary.com

TECHtionary.com produces dealer and customer training programs, online presentations including iPod and PC formats sales brochures, virtual installation manuals and animated online presentations. TECHtionary.com has more than 3,015+ free online animated presentations on data communications, internet, wireless, SIP, OCS-Office Communications Server, VoIP-Voice over Internet Protocol, PBX Systems, central office switching, protocols, telephony, telecommunications, networking, routing, IPTV, WiMax, power systems, broadband, WiFi-wireless fidelity and other related technologies available at http://www.techtionary.com. More details on training are available by calling Tom Cross at 303-594-1694 or cross@gocross.com. Thomas Cross is a magazine columnist with many key technology publications and a member of the Technical Board of Advisors for the VoIP-Security Alliance. He holds Comptia Security+ and other certifications.

About MCS Forum

MCS Forum - Microsoft Communications Server Forum (formerly OCS Forum) provides classroom and webseminar training as well as a non-production environment for those IT departments without additional equipment, budget or time. This allows planners and users to test ideas, dial in and dial back out, IM file transfers, remote desktop sharing, video conferencing, run scenarios, review logs, break linkages and learning about new telephony features and network access. MCS Forum is also designed for both the system integrator/consultant who wants to learn about MCS without having to build their own system as well as the enterprise customer who doesn't have the time, resources or knowledge to develop one. MCS Forum Labs are designed to be "hands-on" or "over-the-shoulder" with experts available for Q&A and classes for feature-specific review. MCS Forum is a vendor-independent laboratory environment designed for learning, technical guides, knowledge resources and online "live" services. MCS Forum provides planning, project management, consulting, training, case studies, white papers, speaking engagements, market/customer research, network planning and other services. For more go to http://www.ocsforum.com now http://www.mscforum.org MCS is an independent Forum. Microsoft is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation.

MCS Forum Expo 2010 will be held in Boulder, Colorado, June 15 & 16 at the St. Julien Hotel (www.stjulien.com) with keynotes from MCS MVPs, Media Gateway/SBC experts, customers, planners and others. Attendees and exhibitors will receive thousands of dollars in valuable videos, training courses and online access to a "live" MCS system. There will be sessions on OCS Planning, QoS, Security, Firewalls, Media Gateways, PBX Integration, Mobile MCS, Communicator, WAN-Bandwidth Planning, Customer Applications, Troubleshooting, Session Border Controllers and others.

About Tele/Presence Forum

Tele/Presence Forum Expo will be held September 28-29 in Boulder. TPF provides education, research, and events designed to improve awareness of the benefits of tele/presence whether video, audio, computer, multi-media, web and other systems. Among the many benefits, Tele/Presence can: - Reduce sales cycles - and are proven to increase revenues - Reduce business costs - travel, downtime, meeting delays, business processes - Improve productivity - increased coordination yields improved customer communications - Accelerates communications - faster communications means faster product cycles - Reduce customer communications disasters - reduce impact of crisis situations