The launch of the Microsoft Office Communication Server 2007 has caught like a wild fire in the corporate arena. The OCS 2007 as it is known is set to take communication to a higher level. But before all this can happen, there is the common question: What type of phone can people or organizations use to enable VoIP and communication as a whole?

The Windows Hardware Engineering Conference (WinHEC) 2007 answered the questions by confirming that there are 15 phones being launched by Microsoft that will be compatible with the Microsoft Office Communication Server 2007. The 15 phones will also be compatible with the Office Communicator 2007, which is Microsoft’s VoIP client interface.

To make it easier for people to use the Office Communication Server 2007, Microsoft has been working with some specific vendors for developing phones and various devices, which will enable communication through Office Communicator 2007 and Office Communications Server 2007. Microsoft is working with vendors like NEC, GN, ASUSTek Computer, Vitelix, LG-Nortel, Plantronics, Tatung, Samsung, and Polycom.

These companies or vendors have developed different types of VoIP phones that can be plugged into Universal Serial Bus (USB) ports. They are also developing both wired and wireless headsets, phones for conferencing, and LCD monitors as a part of making communication using the Office Communication Server 2007 a reality.

Based on a Gartner Research report, the main problem lies with the price of branded IP handsets. These handsets cover almost 40% of the cost of installing VoIP communication systems. This is being seen as an important obstacle by Microsoft and different vendors.

There is a lot of speculation regarding the performance of e-mails, IM, and web based communication systems especially when they have been integrated into a communication server instead of being used as stand-alone applications. Today, Bluetooth headsets can be purchased for a lower price than the standard multi-function phones while CISCO’s IP phone can cost anywhere between $250 and $600. So the IP phones are being developed by Microsoft on the assumption that corporate and individual users will be willing to switch from existing IP phones and standard phones to the new range of soft phones that will support communication through Office Communication Server 2007.

There are quite a few advantages of using the soft phones. There are many people who will not be impressed by the feature of being able to call a contact mentioned in the address book by clicking on his/her name but a lot of people would be interested if they are able to mail or send a URL in real time as opposed to spelling it out over the phone. Another bonus will be the built-in tracking facility of conference calls but at the end of the day, it will all boil down to one factor – The Price Tag.

The soft phones will have their own limitations and will only be functional when the PC or computer is kept switched on. But we will really have to wait and see what Microsoft really has in store for the users.