MS Releases Web Based Communicator

Microsoft on Tuesday announced it had released to manufacturing Office Communicator Web Access, an AJAX based version of its new instant messaging client for businesses. Because it is built with open standards, Communicator Web Access works with IE6, Firefox, Netscape 7.2 and even Apple's Safari.

Communicator Web Access, formerly code-named Budapest, will provide real-time instant messaging coupled with presence. The interface of Communicator Web Access is a replica of the desktop client. However, it is not yet expected to have the full range of features that can be found in the desktop software.

On the desktop, Office Communicator links IM, voice, video, IP telephony and Web conferencing capabilities into Office by integrating with Live Communications Server 2005 in the same way that Outlook plugs into Exchange Server.

"Extending the capabilities of Communicator to Web clients gives information workers — regardless of location or platform — the ability to immediately locate, contact and collaborate with colleagues in real time," said Gurdeep Singh Pall, corporate vice president in Microsoft's Real-Time Collaboration Group.

Using the optional Public IM Connectivity pack, users can access MSN, AOL and Yahoo instant messaging networks from the single Web interface.

Office Communicator Web Access is a free download to all Live Communications Server customers. Once it is installed, users simply point their Web browser to the appropriate address and log in.

"This is another significant step toward ubiquitous access to rich presence information and a unified communications experience," added Pall.