Hardware for Response Point, a Microsoft-developed private branch exchange (PBX) solution for small business, began shipping in Nov. 2007 from D-Link. Response Point could interest resellers thanks to voice recognition, ease of administration, and PC integration features that set it apart from competitors in this fragmented market. However, partners should note that the first version lacks integration with Communications Server, casting uncertainty over the product's future in Microsoft's voice strategy.

Response Point systems consist of a base station, analog trunk gateway, and handsets, all of which interconnect over an organization's Ethernet network. Systems also include two software components that run on Windows XP SP2 and Vista PCs—a management console that is installed on the system administrator's workstation, and software for each user's desktop that provides on-screen notification of incoming calls (via a small pop-up window) and allows users to upload their Outlook contacts or Windows address book information to the Response Point base station.

D-Link's VoiceCenter solution is available in five- and ten-handset bundles for US$2,500 and US$3,200, respectively. Both bundles include a base station, which can accommodate up to 50 or more phones, and an analog trunk gateway that accommodates four standard telephone lines. Phone handsets can be purchased separately for US$140 to accommodate additional users, and extra phone lines can be incorporated by purchasing one or more four-port analog trunk gateways for US$340 each. While D-Link is the first to ship a Response Point system, Quanta is expected to ship its system in December and Aastra some time in 2008. At press time, these vendors had not announced their pricing. Uniden, an early Response Point proponent, decided to drop out for undisclosed reasons.

None of the first-generation Response Point systems will integrate with the telephony and voice-mail features included in Communications Server and Exchange, and Microsoft has not announced any firm plans to integrate Response Point with these products. This raises questions about the product's long-term viability, as well as the upgrade path for customers that outgrow Response Point systems.

Response Point's voice recognition, ease of administration, and other features are covered in "Phone System for Small Business" on page 13 of the May 2007 Update.

Microsoft's home page for Response Point is www.microsoft.com/responsepoint/default.mspx. Recorded technical seminars targeted at resellers are posted at www.msreadiness.com/responsepoint.

More information about D-Link's VoiceCenter product can be found at voicecenter.dlink.com/.

Details about Quanta's Syspine system is at www.syspine.com/.