Google buys VOIP engine behind Yahoo, AOL, WebEx, Lotus conferencing

One interesting thing to note about GIPS is its customer list. On its site, GIPS touts Yahoo, IBM Lotus, AOL, WebEx and Baidu as customers. All of those companies compete with Google products. For instance, Yahoo uses GIPS VideoEngine PC product to deliver real-time voice over Yahoo Messenger. Is that really going to last when Google owns GIPS? It’s the same story for AOL Instant Messenger. Simply put, Google will own the technology powering video and voice on the biggest IM clients. On the Google Apps front, WebEx uses GIPS VoiceEngine and so does Lotus Sametime. On the China front, Baidu also uses GIPS technology.

 

If I was Cisco, IBM, Yahoo, AOL, maybe this is the time to find or maybe develop a new codec! ;)  

GIPS CEO Emerick Woods said:

Google has been a valued customer of GIPS for many years and has greatly contributed to the development and innovation of our products to date. We have always respected their position in the industry and share the common vision of accelerating next generation innovation in the web-based solutions for real time communications.

You may have many questions regarding this announcement but for now, until the successful completion of the offer, it will be business as usual for us here at GIPS. You will continue to interact with the same team members and can expect the same level of support and commitment that you have received in the past. Google has informed us that nothing will change for current and prospective customers of GIPS. Following the completion of the Offer, Google intends to continue servicing GIPS’s customers in accordance with existing contracts while offering them the opportunity to transition to new offerings developed by Google. Although we will not have more significant details until the process is complete and full integration efforts are underway, we will keep you informed throughout as events arise.

In other words, Google will continue servicing GIPS existing contracts, but after that rivals may be on their own.

source for this information: http://www.zdnet.com/blog/btl/google-buys-voip-engine-behind-yahoo-aol-webex-lotus-conferencing/34590?tag=nl.e539

Description of the Office Communicator 2007 update package:May 2010

Get it here

Microsoft Office Communicator 2007 Hotfix KB 974599 (R1)

get it here

Description of the cumulative update for Office Communications Server 2007 R2, Mediation Server: April 2010

Issues that this update package fixes

This cumulative update fixes the following issues:

• 981218 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/981218/ ) A call is dropped when a media time-out occurs on the gateway side of the Office Communications Server 2007 R2, Mediation Server

• 981250 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/981250/ ) The Office Communications Server 2007 R2, Mediation Server does not send a response to the PSTN gateway when the Mediation Server cannot contact the front-end server

This cumulative update also includes the following previously released updates:

• 972772 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/972772/ ) Video is not displayed after you enable Quality of Service (QoS) at the pool level in Communications Server 2007 R2 and you enable QoS on a client computer

• 972770 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/972770/ ) An update package enables Office Communications Server 2007 R2, Mediation Server to include a diversion header in the re-invite after the server processes a 302 redirection

• 968954 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/968954/ ) Communications Server 2007 R2 front-end server does not recognize a 504 error message that is sent by Communications Server 2007 R2 Mediation Server after you install update 956829

Get it here

Description of the cumulative update for Office Communications Server 2007 R2 Attendant: April 2010

Issue that this update package fixes

This cumulative update fixes the following issue:

• 981416 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/981416/ ) Office Communicator 2007 R2 audio becomes choppy during attendant console calls or Public Switched Telephone Network calls

This cumulative update also includes the following previously released update:

• 972402 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/972402/ ) Office Communicator 2007 R2 runs concurrently with Office Communications Server 2007 R2 Attendant

get it here

Hardware Load Balancing with Office Communications Server 2007 R2

Hardware load balancer in OCS can be complex, there is a new guide/document on this.

 

Get it here

Source for this information LCSKid

UC and Volcano ash Cloud

Now is the time that some regret not having OCS installed and using it, instead of flying out to all meetings :)

I work in Denmark covering, Norway and Iceland, = no fight in or out!

But who cares, I have my Communicator and Live-meeting I can get trough this, due to this UC solution.

 

Today and on a normal day

Link http://www.flightradar24.com/?lat=51d84935276370605&lng=20d9619140625&zoom=4

I this “BS” or am I right ? (I know some meetings it’s nice be onsite, but it’s not always the fact) and in a emergency like this, there is a reason for not being onsite, so now is the time for UC to show it’s value!

   

Lets have a guess on how many business travelers that actually could say; this meeting I could have done from OCS Live-meeting, instead of being in this airport for X number of days.
Some of them doesn’t have OCS but some might have.

But my guess is more than >50% if they had the possibility!

On the other hand, I know of two guys from Inceptio in Ireland, finish doing a 4 days OCS Voice Ignite training, they couldn't do this in a Live meeting, and who wouldn't like to have a few stress less days to relax, finding the local PUB or go for a tour in what ever country you are cord in :)

But all the guys that are paying for a TAXI spending many hours to drive across Europe, they are regretting not using OCS :)

OCS R2 April updates

Product	Update	KB Link
Office Communications Server 2007 R2	OCS_2007R2_CU5	968802
Office Communication Server 2007 R2 Database Upgrade	OCSDU_2007R2_CU5	979857
Attendant Console 2007 R2	AC_2007R2_CU5	980936
Office Communicator 2007 R2	OC_2007R2_CU5	978564
Office Communicator Phone Edition 2007 R2	OCPE_2007R2_CU5	981526

Polycom Handset for OCS 14

Polycom will build OCS 14  devices

Lobby phone Cx500 and lowcost CX600 full OCS14 device , CX3000 full ocs 14 Conference device,

 

Surce for this information http://stevenjenkinson.wordpress.com/2010/03/24/new-polycom-ocs-handsets/

AND http://www.tincupsandstring.com/2010/04/03/phones-for-ocs-wave-14-from-aastra-and-polycom/

Astra Announces IP Phones for Microsoft Communications Server “14”

6725ip

The 6725ip is a true IP phone that can operate as a standalone Microsoft Communications Server “14” endpoint. When connected to a Microsoft Communicator “14” equipped desktop, it provides a tight integration with the desktop client.

• Embedded Microsoft Communicator Phone Edition Software
• Color screen
• Dual gigabit Ethernet ports
• Direct desktop integration
• Personal presence indicator
• USB interfaces 
• Speakerphone
• Standalone operation

get more info here

Update: Astra’s own information here

SIP Phone Support for Microsoft Unified Communications

AudioCodes SIP Phone Support (SPS) is a value-added application for AudioCodes Mediant Media Gateways, which enables smooth connectivity of 300HD Series IP Phones, affordable, high quality IP Phones from AudioCodes, as well as third-party IP Phones, into the Microsoft Office Communications Server environment.

SPS can also be used to enable connectivity and provisioning of AudioCodes certified third-party SIP IP Phones from leading vendors, such as Cisco and Avaya, providing IT managers with full investment protection for their IP Phones.

http://www.audiocodes.com/product/sps

Tieto

Communications network integration for telecommunications service providers through an alliance with Microsoft

http://www.tieto.com/pressbriefing/

Telenor and Astra MX one ready for OCS R2

Good news for the Nordic :)

Telenor as SIP Trunking Services Qualified for Microsoft Office Communications Server 2007 R2

Astra MX one as Direct SIP: Gateways and IP-PBXs Qualified for Office Communications Server

see it here

Microsoft Exchange Server Profile Analyzer

Overview

Use the Microsoft Exchange Server Profile Analyzer tool to collect estimated statistical information from a single mailbox store or across an Exchange Server organization. The collected data can be used for such tasks as analyzing the performance and health of a server that has mailboxes, improving capacity planning models, and improving testing methodologies and tools.
Prior to upgrading to this version, users should backup the default Profile Analyzer configuration XML file if any customizations have been made.
Important Notice: The Microsoft Exchange Profile Analyzer tool collects information related to user activity on production mailbox systems and can be used to generate aggregate user profile statistics for sets of Exchange users. Before using the tool in a production environment, you may wish to ensure that your collection and use of this information is consistent with the privacy and other laws of your country.

32 bit get it here

64 bit get it here

Microsoft Office Communications Server 2007 R2 Design Guide

Overview

This guidance provides the recommendations for the implementation of Microsoft Office Communications Server 2007 R2 {R26} as a unified communications platform. The guidance covers instant messaging, conferencing and enterprise voice.

get it here