Instant Messaging and Web Conferencing Overview

Major improvements are due in 2005 for both Live Communications Server (LCS) and Live Meeting. First up in 2005 will be gateways that enable secure instant message (IM) exchanges between LCS and public IM services such as MSN’s .NET Messenger, AOL IM, and Yahoo Messenger. Later in 2005, a new client code-named Istanbul will ship with better support for voice calls and connectivity to standard telephony systems, among other features. Istanbul will likely ship as a new Office System application rather than a Windows extension such as Windows Messenger (the current client used by LCS 2005).

Live Meeting will also get a major update in 2005, but other than support for additional user interface languages, no features have been announced. The most likely features would be ones that simplify integration with Office applications, especially PowerPoint, which are often used to prepare meeting materials.

Further out, Microsoft is likely to release a Web conferencing server that’s based on Live Meeting but that is able to use LCS for conference setup and communication among conference participants. This server product would help fill the gap created by the loss of Exchange Conferencing Server, which leaves Mainstream support Dec. 31, 2005. (Extended support, including paid support under contract, will continue to be available through Dec. 31, 2010.)