Web Conferencing in Communications Server 2007

Organizations can offer in-house Web conferencing services similar to Microsoft’s subscription-based Live Meeting service by deploying Communications Server 2007.

Communications Server Supports Web Conferencing

Web conferencing is a catchall term for real-time meetings or conferences in which participants use PC-based applications and an IP data network, such as the Internet or an organization’s corporate intranet, to communicate and share data. Web conferencing offers capabilities beyond the familiar multiparty audio of teleconferences, including tools and services that can simplify the distribution of presentation materials (such as PowerPoint presentations), help presenters manage question-and-answer sessions, allow recording and playback of meetings, and improve interaction between presenter and audience (allowing participants to view and interact with a running application, for instance).

Microsoft has had several false starts creating products for in-house Web conferencing—an application called NetMeeting offered some point-to-point Web conferencing features and Exchange Conferencing Server extended NetMeeting’s capabilities, but Microsoft no longer promotes or develops those products.