Microsoft is all set to launch the Office Communications Server 2007 this October and also their new telephone devices that are compatible with the servers.

It was announced at the Windows Hardware Engineering Conference (WinHEC) 2007, that Microsoft with nine other manufacturers will develop phones and other communication devices to enable IM, email and VoIP. The manufacturers working with Microsoft are Polycom, GN, Tatung, ASUSTek Computer In, NEC, ViTELiX, Plantronics, Samsung, and LG-Nortel.

Microsoft is said to have developed 15 different phones devices, which will be unveiled at the WinHEC 2007 and the range of communication devices vary from IP phones to USB phones, conferencing phones, wired and wireless headsets, laptops and LCD monitors.

Microsoft has already provided various design specifications to all the manufacturers so that their communication devices are compatible with the Office Communications Server 2007 as well as the Office Communicator 2007. According to Microsoft and the manufacturers, the products have reached the end of Microsoft qualification cycle, and this will ensure that these devices can work in-sync with the Microsoft unified communications software.  

One of the first communication devices to hit the market is the Polycom CX700 IP Phone. The Polycom CX700 IP Phone is compatible with Office Communications Server 2007 and can deliver wideband audio. It has a sleek design and a hands-free speaker phone. The most important feature of the Polycom CX700 IP Phone is that it is a fully functional Office Communicator 2007 client. As a result, it can provide direct access to the various capabilities of Office Communications Server 2007. All this is possible through the touch-screen color display that the phone has.

Among the many capabilities of the Polycom CX700 IP Phone, some of the vital capabilities include its ability to deliver an enhanced presence status information as well as voicemail indication through a Windows based user interface. These features will enable the users to control their calls with ease. Users can take advantage of the many benefits like conferencing, click-to-call, transferring, forwarding, holding, and ending a call.

Apart from this the Polycom CX700 IP Phone comes with a complete telephone keypad, keys for volume control, scroll wheel for enhanced user interface navigation, different modes like the headset and speakerphone mode. This Polycom IP phone is a standalone phone with some great features like:

• It is compatible and can work well with the Office Communications Server 2007 and the Office Communicator 2007 client. You will not require a desktop PC for making calls or for gaining access to someone’s contact information.
• The Polycom CX700 IP Phone has a high fidelity Speaker and microphone
• CX-700 has wideband audio so that you can get the best output in terms of voice call quality. This is irrespective of whether you are using it in the speaker phone mode or the headset mode.
• One of the most advanced features of the phone is the biometric fingerprint reader. You can log in using the on screen keyboard and add your communication preferences.
• With the phone’s Windows CE-based touch-screen interface, you can monitor and manage all your calls with ease.