Updated: July 11, 2020 (October 19, 2009)

  Analyst Report

AOL, Cisco, Google IM Links

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382 wordsTime to read: 2 min
Rob Helm by
Rob Helm

As managing vice president, Rob Helm covers Microsoft collaboration and content management. His 25-plus years of experience analyzing Microsoft’s technology... more

New gateway server software can connect Communications Server with private instant messaging (IM) systems based on Cisco’s Jabber software, as well as the public Google Talk IM system. Microsoft has also eliminated some license requirements for connecting Communications Server installations with AOL’s public IM system. The moves will help organizations communicate with their customers and partners over public IM systems, as well as private IM systems owned by other organizations. They will also help Microsoft and its partners promote Communications Server deployments and upgrades by promoting the federation features of the latest version.

Broadening Federation Features

Communications Server (full name: Microsoft Office Communication Server, sometimes abbreviated OCS) has long supported IM federation, which enables users in IM systems owned by separate organizations to exchange presence status and IMs. Two Oct. 2009 developments further enhance these features in Communications Server 2007 R2, the latest version.

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