[*] [Fwd: June 2, 2005 - Microsoft's Coming VoIP Push?]

Thu Jun 2 22:43:45 CDT 2005

Note the line "Maybe they could buy Vonage" which fits nicely with our
discussion about Vonage's business plan.

-------- Forwarded Message --------
> From: VoIP Forecast <editors at voip-magazine.com>
> Reply-To: VoIP Forecast <editors at voip-magazine.com>
> To: john.lange at open-it.ca
> Subject: June 2, 2005 - Microsoft's Coming VoIP Push?
> Date: Thu, 02 Jun 2005 11:03:20 -0700
> VoIP Forecast
> June 2, 2005
> 
> Most people don't consider Microsoft a VoIP products and services provider. And why should they? MS has been fairly quiet on the voice over IP front when it comes to stating a clear strategy.
> 
> However, a number of signs indicate that about to change. 
> 
> MS has been releasing or updating a number of its VoIP-related software products in the past several months: Microsoft Office Communicator, updates to MSN Messenger, a new release of Microsoft Speech Server, Live Communications Server (LCS), and their mobile platform among others. They've also been establishing a number of partnerships with IP PBX vendors like Avaya and Siemens. 
> 
> Perhaps most telling, Microsoft is listed as having a 3000sq. ft. booth at SUPERCOMM next week. Having worked in the tradeshow industry for awhile now, we often describe booths of this size as "ginormous." Last year, only MicrosoftTV was at SUPERCOMM but I could never find their booth. This year, the trouble won't be how to find the MS booth, but how to stop walking through it. 
> 
> Some analysts are speculating that Microsoft is getting into the VoIP market a little late. The concern there is that entrenched vendors, like Cisco, already have such a lock on the market that it's folly get in the game now. 
> 
> Actually, it's probably folly not to get in. 
> 
> Microsoft has more entry points to this market than most vendors. On the residential side they have Internet services and MSN Messenger. Office is being revamped around a VoIP and collaboration core for business users and for service providers LCS and MSS are both positioned well to tie all of this together. 
> 
> Pull all this together under an umbrella of email integration and you're looking at an extremely comprehensive offering.
> 
> For those of you that scoff at the notion of MS as a voice provider, you might be a bit quick to react. This isn't about Microsoft in the phone closet, it's about MS in the datacenter--and they're already there. 
> 
> With all of this activity on the software and equipment side, it would appear that MS has the infrastructure bases covered. What they may not have yet is customers. Maybe they could buy them. 
> 
> Maybe they could buy Vonage.
> 
> What do you think? Are IP communication going to play a big part in Microsoft's corporate strategy or are we just looking at another NetMeeting upgrade? Are you ready for MS to ask you "Who Do You Want to Call Today?" I invite your feedback. We'll round up the best comments and post them next week.
> 
> -- Bryan Richard
> Editor-in-Chief, VoIP Magazine
> brichard at voip-magazine.com
> 
> P.S. The June issue of VoIP Magazine is now online. Click the link below to read it now. 
> http://www.voip-magazine.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=119&Itemid=46
> 
> ========================================================================
> This Week's Sponsor is ZyXEL
> ========================================================================
> 
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> 
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> 
> ========================================================================
> In this issue of VoIP Forecast:
> ========================================================================
> 
> * The Week in Headlines
> * Feature: Under the Microscope: VoIP in Vertical Markets
> * Interview: SIP, Security, and Services: An Interview with Peter Brockmann, 3Com VP of Product Marketing
> * VoIP Magazine - http://www.voip-magazine.com - The IP Communications Authority
> 
> To view this week's news, click the link below.
> http://voip-magazine.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=120&Itemid=68
> 
> ========================================================================
> 
> The Week in Headlines
> 
> * VoX Taps Linux for VoIP Delivery
> 
> * AOL Rolls Out TotalTalk to Canada
> 
> * JamboTECH Releases BlackPhone 3.0 with HyperDial
> 
> * LSSi gets VoIP Listings in 411
> 
> * Nortel and BT to Secure Military WAN
> 
> * BCE CEO Unhappy with Canadian VoIP Ruling
> 
> * Commercial version of SIPPS to be Released
> 
> * Junction Networks Chooses Yipes to Deliver VoIP Services
> 
> * Vonage Canada Embarks on Largest Expansion to Date
> 
> * Viatel Launches VoIP Services for UK Companies
> 
> * Cisco and Red Bull Cheever Racing Bring Wireless and VoIP to Indy 500
> 
> * Microsoft Speech Server 2004 R2 Broadens Language Support
> 
> * Alcatel and Polycom to Deliver Joint Collaboration Solutions
> 
> * Report: Bundling Wireless Minutes for the Quadruple Play
> 
> * Camvera Networks Partners with PowerNet Global to Provide Wireless VoIP
> 
> * ISProfessionals to Sell Nuvio VoIP Products
> 
> * I-Sector Acquires Network Architechs
> 
> To view this week's news, click the link below.
> http://voip-magazine.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=120&Itemid=68
> 
> ========================================================================
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> ========================================================================
> 
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> 
> ========================================================================
> FEATURES
> ========================================================================
> 
> Under the Microscope: VoIP in Vertical Markets
> By Ronald Gruia
> 
> At a recent conference, a senior executive was asked about a detailed breakdown of market numbers in a segment he was not immediately familiar with. Being a seasoned speaker, he did not lose his composure and showed the thick armor he had developed for exactly this type of situation. He simply responded that sometimes vendors use numbers in much the same way a drunk uses a lamppost: for support rather than for illumination.
> 
> Jokes aside, in today’s highly competitive enterprise IP telephony marketplace, it is imperative for vendors, service providers, and system integrators alike to be be familiar with the demand for IP telephony from a vertical market perspective. 
> 
> Click the link below to read the full article.
> http://voip-magazine.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=105&Itemid=52
> 
> ========================================================================
> 
> SIP, Security, and Services: An Interview with Peter Brockmann, 3Com VP of Product Marketing Interview
> By Bryan Richard
> 
> 3Com has been in the voice over IP market since 1998 when they introduced the world’s first IP PBX: the NBX. Historically, 3Com has garnered a great deal of success with VoIP in the SMB market but are now breaking new ground in the large enterprise and carrier/service provider space.
> 
> Peter Brockmann joined 3Com in June of 2004 as their Vice President of Product Marketing, in charge of overseeing a global business team responsible for marketing converged networking products and services to enterprises of any size.
> 
> VoIP Magazine’s Bryan Richard spoke with Mr. Brockmann about 3Com’s entrance into managed services, the TippingPoint acquisition, and why SIP is positioned to dominate IP telephony.
> 
> Click the link below to read the full interview.
> http://voip-magazine.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=118&Itemid=52
> 
> ========================================================================
> READERS RESPOND 
> ========================================================================
> 
> "I talk to VoIP dealers and customers all day, every day. The one thing I have noticed is that VoIP is out of the missionary stage. We no longer have to explain and sell VoIP.  It has become a more typical price/benefits sale to prospects already knowledgeable about the technology."
>  
> --Ben Marbury
> 
> ========================================================================
> MARKETPLACE 
> ========================================================================
> 
> > Nuvio
> 
> Branded Residential and Business VoIP solutions for ISPs, Network Integrators, and VARs. Earn residual revenue sharing now!
> http://www.nuvio.com
> 
> > ENUM Summit 2005
> 
> Leveraging Electronic Numbering to Drive Revenue from Telecom and IP Network Convergence
> http://www.iqpc.com/na-2306-01/V635EM 
> 
> > IPComm 2005
> 
> Plan, Build, Deploy, and Manage IP telephony with best practices, solutions and strategies at IPComm 2005
> http://www.ipcomm2005.com
> 
> ========================================================================
> 
> One Year Free Subscription to VoIP Magazine
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> 
> ========================================================================
> CONTACT INFORMATION
> ========================================================================
> VoIP Magazine
> 330 Townsend Street #112
> San Francisco, California 94107
> 415-764-1617
> 
> http://www.voip-magazine.com
> 
> 
> Bryan Richard, Editor-in-chief
> brichard at voip-magazine.com
> 
> 
> Sales
> Lara Kisielewska
> 212-391-6212
> lara at voip-magazine.com
> 
> Copyright 2005, QuarterPower Media LLC. 
> 
> VoIP Magazine
> 330 Townsend Street #112
> San Francisco, California 94107
> 415-764-1617
> 
> 
> VoIP Magazine
> 330 Townsend Street #112
> San Francisco, California 94107
> 415-764-1617
> 
> 
-- 
John Lange
President OpenIT ltd. www.Open-IT.ca (204) 885 0872
VoIP, Web services, Linux Consulting, Server Co-Location