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OCS Forum Now MCS Forum
An independent view of Microsoft Communications Server - Microsoft is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation | |
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Microsoft Announces Microsoft Communications Server "14"
Microsoft officially released more details today on the next release of OCS (further to the previous post on OCS in 2010 - The UC 14 Wave). The details were made in a keynote presentation by Gurdeep Singh Pall (VP Communications Group, Microsoft) at VoiceCon 2010 in Orlando.
The next release is code named "Microsoft Communications Server 14" (notice the word "Office" has been dropped from the server product name).
Here is a breakdown of some of the features talked about today:
- Location Awareness Capabilities:
- Built into the next release of Communicator (Wave 14) and used by OCS on the server-side.
- Location information can be manually set by the user, or it can be auto-set on the corporate LAN.
- The location information can be sent on the SIP channel and used for 911 features.
- Native E911 Support (in Microsoft Communications Server 14).
- Tighter integration with SharePoint, Exchange, and Office.
- SharePoint Integration:
- New Communicator "skill search" functionality built into the next release of Communicator that searches SharePoint profiles to find people with the skills you are looking for.
- Initiate audio and video communication directly from SharePoint search results.
- Phonetic based search in Communicator to locate associated SharePoint information.
- Voicemail Features:
- Visual voicemail capabilities directly integrated into Communicator 14.
- Multi-language translation capabilities (with Exchange 2010 voicemail integration).
- Ability to jump to a specific point in voicemail.
- Call Admission Control:
- The ability to use bandwidth information and policies to know if a video call can be initiated.
- Branch Office Survivability:
- Several Microsoft Partners (i.e. AudioCodes, Dialogic, Ferrari electronic AG, HP, and NET) announced Branch Appliances that provide local telephony services in the event of a wide area network failure.
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MCS Forum Expo Exhibitors
announce solutions to complement Microsoft Communications Server "14
Here are some highlights of the new partner solutions that support Microsoft Communications Server "14":
Survivable branch appliances
AudioCodes and NET announced survivable branch appliance products that provide local telephony services for remote offices in the event of a wide area network failure. These products include integrated PSTN gateway functionality with a variety of densities and interface types, and, like other third party gateways, will be qualified via the Microsoft Unified Communications Open Interoperability Program. The Open Interoperability Program is intended to help ensure that customers have seamless experiences with the setup, support, and use of a variety of third party products and services with Communications Server.
IP phones
Aastraintroduced IP phones optimized for Microsoft Communicator "14." Customers can now choose common area and information worker phones from both vendors, and conference room phones from Polycom. Several of the products integrate with Communicator "14" via a simple USB connection to provide streamlined setup, multimedia calling, and desktop control of the phone. These "optimized" endpoints offer a high quality user experience and "just works" installation in a wide variety of form factors and price points.
Enhanced 9-1-1 call routing services
911 Enable announced their plans to provide North American customers with routing services for emergency calls. These services, together with Communications Server "14," will provide customers with an innovative, flexible, and cost effective Enhanced 9-1-1 solution. |
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Link to: Three Amigos - MS Education Gurus
Like: Where is the latest PBX compatibility list for Exchange 2010 Unified Messaging or via TechNet |
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MCS Forum seeks nominations for:
- Leadership
- Technical Achievement
- Solution Innovation
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Get MCS Smart - MCS Forum Expo - Boulder - June 15-16 at the St. Julien Hotel with keynotes from MCS MVPs, Media Gateway- SBC experts, consultants, "road warriors" and others.
Fees are $995 until May 1 and $1195 until the event. See just below or CLICK HERE for more on conference schedule and program.
To Register for MCS Expo Only Click Here
To Register for MCS Expo & SIP Class Click here
(Details on the SIP class is way down below.)
WIN an Apple iPad 16 at MCS Forum Expo.
Topics presented will likely explore MCS planning, QoS, Security, Firewalls, Media Gateways, PBX Integration, Mobile MCS, Communicator, WAN-Bandwidth Planning, Customer Applications, Troubleshooting, Session Border Controllers and others.
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MCS Forum Expo Speaker Presentations Expanded to include:
"Managing Migration Madness"
Migration-Survivability-Reliability
- Microsoft MCS Migration - from start to finish
- Using Active Directory to smooth organization migration to MCS
- Drop and Insert - adding MCS without spending money on older TDM PBXs
- Branch Offices and MCS - Survivability techniques
- Improving Reliability at the core with "Crossover Gateway Resiliency"
- AudioCodes SPS - When it's time to forklift out the PBX - PBX to MCS - No Rush - Easing the Transition"
- SIP Trunking with MCS - Interoperability and Security Solutions
MCS & QoS
"Irrational Exuberance" - Myth versus Reality
- MCS platform is not QoS-Ready - Understanding the Myth of QoS in today's network
- Testing your QoS today - Benchmarks, whoops and RGE
- Planning the "endpoint-to-endpoint" impact of an MCS integration
- Analyze your infrastructure:
- Hardstuff - routers, switches, cable, power, WiFi and . .
- Softstuff - training, support, users, Office 2010 featureset, what else
- Upgrading your infrastructure - building in QoS for today and tomorrow
- Test your infrastructure and then test it again - lessons learned from Toyota
- Dealing with the Extinction of the PBX - dial plans, routing, call centers, etc.
- Phase in the MCS integration
- Internal deployment
- External deployment
- Voice deployment
- Advanced/Enterprise deployment
MCS from Past to Presence
- By 2012 Presence will be the standard
- 80s someone called your desk (pink message slip)
- Then voice mail could be sent to another location
- Now can enable and block presence. Partners and vendors can see your calendar, live meetings cut travel times, traceable IMs allow for instant communication
- You Can Set MCS and Forget It
- MCS vs PBX - Why?
- Can I leverage my current equipment?
- Get rid of your PBX lines
- Projects on IT lists can be rolled intoOMCS
- MCS Will Replace Email - But Don't Tell Microsoft
- Gen Y isn't emailing
- Exchange will be a Unified Communication platform
- Will reduce email storage space
- Traceback Traceability
- Social networking - companies don't know what employees are saying
- Allow employees to communicate but protect your liability
MCS-SIP Future Network Architecture
MCS/SIP-Session Initiation Protocol Network Architectures:
- Signaling-Server Virtualization - Benefits of Server Virtualization aka Abstraction
- Distributed user endpoints and application servers
- Scalable growth with QoS-Quality of Service control abstraction
- MACS* via signaling "abstraction"
*Moves, Adds, Changes & SAS-Stand Alone Survivability - SAS enables backup for SIP devices by the multiple "abstract" local or cloud SBC-Session Border Controllers and Media Gateway(s).
- Trunking - Benefits of SIP Trunking
- Session and Signaling control layers for:
- On-net (IP PBX to IP PBX)
- Off-net (IP PBX to local PSTN)
- Off-net (IP PBX to LD/IDDD PSTN)
- SPOC/SMOC-Single/Multiple Point of Connection
- National control points for access (vendors)
- Migration path to ALL-SIP & IMS-3GPP
- Number Transparency - Benefits of Number Transparency
- End-to-end media control (transparency) for voice or other media types
- Access to SS7-Signaling System 7 applications for text messaging, mobility or call center routing
- Enterprise control over call completion whether PSTN or SIP rather than provider
- Migration path to E.164 & IMS-IP Multimedia Service & 3GPP-Third Generation Partner Project Release 6
- Routing - Benefits of SIP Routing
- Eliminates "mesh" network mess
- Add intelligent Session Layer 5 routing
- Maintains end-to-end media transparency
- Add media CoS-Classes of Service
- Adds SPOC-Single Point of Contact with NOC-Network Operations Center
- Migration path to ALL-SIP & IMS-3GPP
- Proxy Peering Networks - Benefits of SIP Proxy Peering Networks
- Platform for multi-vendor services
- Ensures multiple CoS & QoS options
- Migration path to ALL-SIP & IMS-3GPP
- Foundation for any future network needs
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Here's some of the great MCS solutions presenting at
MCS Forum Expo:
FaceTime Communications presents Security, Management and Compliance for OC
Whether it's ensuring your users only utilize MCS and blocking access to other real time communications tool, or applying disclaimers, setting user policy and archiving chats for compliance, FaceTime's solutions integrate full with MCS. From MCS Platform reporting to ethical walls in Group Chat, and Live Meeting management and recording you'll find it all - click here.
Gold Systems presents MCS Solutions
Gold Systems is a unified communications specialist and a Microsoft Gold Certified Managed Partner, developing voice-driven solutions using IVR and speech recognition. Offerings include phone self-service and contact center solutions built on Office Communications Server 2007 R2, and unified messaging deployment and telephony interfaces to Exchange Server 2010. www.goldsys.com Phone 303-447-2774 - email websales@goldsys.com
SNOM presents MCS Solutions
snom technology is a global manufacturer of SIP-based IP telephones for business, carrier and high-end consumer markets. Based on open standards, feature-rich and affordable, snom's products are engineered to fulfil their vision of ubiquitous, standards-based VoIP/SIP/MCS. Based in Berlin, snom's sales/distribution network extends to over 40 countries at www.snom.com
AudioCodes Presents MCS Solutions
AudioCodes is a leading manufacturer of Media Gateways for Microsoft Unified Messaging & Unified Communications, including Microsoft Office Communications Server 2007 R2. Utilizing AudioCodes Media Gateways, businesses are able to interface Microsoft communications applications to a wide range of TDM PBXs, IP-PBX, SIP Trunking and legacy PSTN trunking facilities. With unsurpassed voice quality, reliability, flexibility and scalability, AudioCodes Media Gateways have earned many accolades and should be your first choice when deploying Microsoft Unified Communications. Visit www.audiocodes.com/microsoft for more information.
NOVUS presents MCS Solutions
Since 1983, Novus, LLC has been supporting manufacturers' reseller channels worldwide, serving over 15 countries on 4-continents. Engaged at the inception of VoIP, our thorough understanding of VAR's needs and end-user expectations has positioned Novus as the leading distributor of snom IP telephones deployed on Microsofts' MCS platform at www.novusllc.com
NET presents MCS Solutions
NET's VX Series Intelligent Voice Gateways and Switches are specifically designed to provide the enterprise-class integration, interoperability, and security with scalability required for successful adoption of VoIP and Unified Communications into new and existing voice and PBX environments. Founded in 1983, NET (Network Equipment Technologies Inc.) is headquartered in Fremont California at www.net.com.
Aastra presents MCS Solutions
Aastra USA is the North American business unit of Aastra Technologies Limited, (TSX:"AAH"), a leading company at the forefront of the enterprise communications market. With more than 50 million installed lines around the world, offers one of the most complete portfolios of unified communications solutions available today. www.aastrausa.com.
FaxCore presents MCS Solutions at OCS Expo
FaxCore is the 21st century fax solution that combines the Microsoft .NET platform, a web interface and innovative fax over IP deployment opportunities into a single solution. A strategic partner of Dialogic, means all the advantages of the Dialogic platform are leveraged by FaxCore for leading edge deployments and unparalleled reliability. Click her for www.faxcore.com for more information.
GreenAppx presents MCS Solutions
GreenAppX has assembled the industry-leading applications for corporate 1) email, 2) network security, 3) data back-up and 4) office processes. These four categories contain critical applications that are crucial to the day-to-day management of any business. The start-up and recurring expense associated with traditional software deployments addressing these four categories are beyond the budgets of most small to mid-size enterprises. Click here for www.greenappx.com for more information.
Uncommon Solutions presents MCS Solutions
Uncommon Solutions' MCS-certified engineers design, deploy and integrate MCS solutions. We are a Microsoft Gold Partner with the 1st Microsoft-approved MCS appliance designed to facilitate real-time communication services and improve business processes. Uncommon Solutions is uncommon in our ability to address business goals with IT solutions that measure cost against value. Click here www.uncommonsolutions.com for more information.
911 Enable Presents MCS Solutions
911 Enable provides simple to deploy, easy to manage E911 solutions for IP telephony, including a solution designed to meet the unique requirements of Microsoft MCS. Its solutions include a national E911 call routing service, automated phone tracking appliance, and security desk notification system, which help organizations reduce liability concerns and meet E911 regulations. Click here www.911enable.com for more information.
NEWS: 911 Enable Certifies its Emergency Gateway with Aastra Clearspan
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NEW - June 7-11 Dates in Boulder Announced
OCS Forum Presents - OCS R2 - Ultimate Course
5-Day Training - "Hands-on" Labs with 700+ page manual with Special SIP Essentials section - click for more on SIP section.
Critical Course for Planning OCS Design & Certification Study for Exam 70-638, Exam 70-262 and other tests
OCS Forum (http://www.ocsforum.com) announced its new OCSR2 Ultimate course. "R2 and Wave 14 coming in 2010 confirms Microsoft place in the new telecommunications networking business," noted Tom Cross OCS Forum CEO. "R2 is having a significant impact on corporate voice telecommunications strategies indicating the end of the TDM-time division multiplexed PBX-Private Branch eXchange systems is now insight. Microsoft is also driving companies like Cisco, Nortel, Avaya, NEC, Mitel, ShoreTel to rethink their featuresets and capabilities because while R2 is a new game when Wave 14 is released in 2010, their days are numbered," Cross commented.
This five -day (5-day) "hands-on" lab course with 700+ page manual focuses on the core components of OCS 2007 R2, including:
- Instant Messaging (IM) between everyone in the organization in the office or remote
- Application and Desktop sharing for true collaboration
- Audio/Video Conferencing including internally hosted audio conference calls and Live Meetings
- Integration with Exchange Server 2007 Unified Messaging
- Securing the environment to protect communications
The course provides many hands-on labs to practice and reinforce learning of many new concepts. After completing this course, students should be able to design, install, configure, maintain, monitor, and troubleshoot the core components of OCS 2007 R2.
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Another option to improve VOIP quality over low-speed transmission links is to use header compression. VoIP packets are composed of one or more speech codec samples (e.g. G.711) or frames encapsulated in 40 bytes of IP/UDP/RTP headers. 40 bytes is a relatively large amount of overhead for the typical 20-byte VoIP payloads, particularly over low-speed links VoIP payloads, particularly over low-speed links where small sample CODECs ae used (e.g. G.729). By using cRTP-compressed Real-time Transport protocol, RTP, UDP and IP headers are reduced from 44 bytes to 2-4 bytes. RFC 2508 specifies compressed RTP (cRTP), which is designed to reduce the IP/UDP/RTP headers to two bytes for most packets in the case where no UDP checksums are being sent, or four bytes with checksums.
IETF RFC 2508 explains two formats of cRTP:
· Compressed RTP (CR) - where IP, UDP, and RTP headers remain consistent. All headers are compressed.
· Compressed UDP (CU) - where RTP timestamp or RTP payload type changes. The IP and UDP headers are compressed, but the RTP header is not.
Note that in RFC 1889, RTP itself does not provide any mechanism to ensure timely delivery or provide other quality-of-service guarantees, but relies on lower-layer services to do so.
Got OCS news, customer case studies, tips and vendor-neutral white papers, send them to cross@ocsforum.com. |
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Get SIP Smart
Proxies are signaling - Media servers are content
Special 1.5 day SIP Training after the MCS Expo limited to 10 attendees from Thursday 0900-1600 and Friday 0800-1100 - $495 for MCS Forum attendees and $895 for all others.
Click here for outline (please note all topics may not be covered due to timeframe)
"The SIP/VoIP courses are more than a superb primer on VoIP/SIP technology; they are an indepth business plan for a VoIP/SIP implementation. In addition, the VoIP/SIP diagnostic and troubleshooting guide is the most thorough approach to VoIP QoS available. I need information that informs but does not overwhelm. Information that guides but not drives you away. The courses provide insights and actionable information that has helped me get the technology we need sooner but saved me a considerable amount in understanding what we didn't need. The SIP course especially is a valuable one which provides much needed information in a readily understandable format." Paul Daubitz - President - ATI-TeleManagement
All Students in SIP Planning Guide Course will receive this New Cisco SIP Trunking Book (published 2-4-2010).
 SIP Trunking is one of the first complete books to planning, evaluating, and implementing high-value SIP trunking solutions. Most large enterprises have switched to IP telephony, and service provider backbone networks have largely converted to VoIP transport. But there's a key missing link: most businesses still connect to their service providers via old-fashioned, inflexible TDM-Time Division Multiplexed trunks. Cisco® authors show how to use Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) trunking to eliminate legacy interconnects and gain the full benefits of end-to-end VoIP. Written for enterprise decision-makers, network architects, consultants, and service providers, this book demystifies SIP trunking technology and trends and brings unprecedented clarity to the transition from TDM to SIP interconnects. The authors "separate the true benefits of SIP trunking from the myths and help you systematically evaluate and compare service provider offerings. This book includes detailed cost analyses, including guidance on identifying realistic, achievable savings." SIP Trunking also introduces essential techniques for optimizing network design and security, introduces proven best practices for implementation, and shows how to apply them through a start-to-finish case study. Some of the concepts explored in the book are
· Discover the advanced Unified Communications solutions that SIP trunking facilitates
· Systematically plan and prepare your network for SIP trunking
· Generate effective RFPs for SIP trunking
· Compare SIP deployment models and assess their tradeoffs
· Address key network design issues, including security, call admission control, and call flows
· Manage SIP/TDM interworking throughout the transition
· This IP communications book is part of the Cisco Press® Networking Technology Series. IP communications titles from Cisco Press - SIP Trunking book by Christina Hattingh, Darryl Sladden, ATM Zakaria Swapan was first published February 4 - 2010. |
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Cool article on Cisco and OCS
Cisco and Microsoft Collaboration in Unified Communications According to the article, "Cisco and Microsoft have an established history of cooperating across technologies to provide customers with `innovative business solutions. In the area of unified communications, the two companies are interoperating to help joint customers deliver inclusive and business-transforming communications solutions using services and applications from each company."
However, its much more than sharing "UC" content between telephonesets and PCs, its about changing the model of business communications. Please send us your thoughts.
Got MCS news, customer case studies, tips and vendor-neutral white papers, send them to cross@gocross.com. |
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MCS "Better than Book Smart"
Best Practices Series
There are quite a few books on MSC formerly OCS available. I have read a number of them and here's one I like. One of the great aspects of this book, Microsoft Office Communications Server 2007 R2 Resource Kit (ISBN-13-978-0-7356-2635-5) by Maximo and others is great detailed information including extra material on th CD.
Got OCS news, customer case studies, tips and vendor-neutral white papers, send them to cross@ocsforum.com. |
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Keynote Speeches
From Teleconferencing to Telepresence
Making Virtual Meetings Work For You
Understanding and Troubleshooting Video Conferencing Networks
Tele-Presence Forum
provides learning and educational services on audio, video - tele/presence, web conferencing and other aspects of tele/presence and is the sponsor of Tele/Presence Forum Expo. More information can be found at http://www.tele-presenceforum.com or http://www.presenceforum.com |
| From MS Team MCS - helpful MCS TechTips
Click here for NextHop
Whether you're new to Microsoft Communications Server and Unified Communications, simply looking for some helpful hints, or trying to get some serious information, we'll help you find what you need. |
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MCS "Crash Course" Hands-On Half Day
Getting MCS up in 3 hours - Coming fall 2010
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THE GRAPEFRUIT DIET Approach to Tech Implementation
What Computer Engineer Barbie(r) would do
Part 5 of 7 Steps to Successful Technical Implementation
Implementing any new technology requires an enormous amount of time and energy. The following steps are suggested for the organization that integrates any technical solution.
5 - Sell the sizzle-Marketing is the key to technology and key to gaining user acceptances. A term I coined decades ago, "organizational marketing," describes the tactics and strategies that can be used to sell programs within an organization. Motivational techniques, posters, ads, promotional devices, and (even) cash incentives are most often needed to encourage program participation. You may not think this applies to dieting, however, getting the user excited about the benefits of dieting is also important.
As we move into upper-level management positions, jobs become vastly more complex and more dependent on individual management styles. Here, automation in general and technology in particular can only hope to be an "executive helper," at best. Technology or diet plan often supplements certain types of work rather than replaces it. That is, the either plan will need to make work or life better. Technology is a "power tool" or powerbar that helps managers gain visibility, handle workloads, and increase work quality. Like with any diet, understand it's probably not the first time the person tried to lose weight and probably not the last and what really motivates the user. |
| The GotUC.net developer sandbox is open for registration
We are a group of Microsoft Communications Server developers working together through a web-community to promote Communications Server development, to increase our skills and assist others. The founders of this site are firm believers in the potential of MCS and are committed to doing our part to make this community grow. On this site you will find many Microsoft MVPs for MCS who are willing to share their expertise with others.We are big evangelists for OCS and seek every available opportunity to speak out about it. |
Special Notes
- Read new book "Facebook Marketing for Dummies - click here
- Cool Microsoft Blog on MCS for Edu - click here |
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CrossTalk Named One of the Top-10 Telecommunications Blogs
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All videos are FREE to MCS Forum 2010 Expo attendees and exhibitors.
Previous Videos (note these videos may not all be updated by the Expo)
- OCS Front End Server
- OCS Planning Tool
- Edge Planning Tool
- Getting To Know Microsoft Office Communicator
- OCS User Creation
- Mediation Server
- Edge Server |
Free Technical "Just Enough Just-in-Time" Knowledge from:
The World's First and Largest Animated Library on Technology with more than 3,000 animated tutorials.
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Boulder
Happiest City in U.S.
Come to MCS Forum Expo and see why.
The St. Julien Hotel in Boulder is an extraordinary hotel. For a 30-second Flash tour of Boulder and Hotel Reservation information click here. Please make your reservations early.
Info on Rocky Mountain National Park - Elk, deer, moose, bighorn sheep, black bears, coyotes, cougars, eagles, hawks and scores of smaller animals - chipmonks galore delight wildlife-watchers of all ages. Wildflower-lovers are never disappointed in June and July when the meadows and hillsides are splashed with botanical color.
NEW - click here for Highest Altitude WEB Cams in the U.S.
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MCS Forum provides classroom and webseminar training as well as a non-production environment for those IT departments without additional equipment, budget or time. This allows planners and users to test ideas, dial in and dial back out, IM file transfers, remote desktop sharing, video conferencing, run scenarios, review logs, break linkages and learning about new telephony features and network access. MCS Forum is also designed for both the system integrator/consultant who wants to learn about MCS without having to build their own system as well as the enterprise customer who doesn't have the time, resources or knowledge to develop one. MCS Forum Labs are designed to be "hands-on" or "over-the-shoulder" with experts available for Q&A and classes for feature-specific review.
About MCS Forum
MCS Forum is a vendor-independent laboratory environment designed for learning, technical guides, knowledge resources and online "live" services. MCS Forum provides planning, project management, consulting, training, case studies, white papers, speaking engagements, market/customer research, network planning and other services.
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