Microsoft Adds VoIP Services for Response Point Phone System

Microsoft (News - Alert) Corp. recently introduced a new service pack (SP1) for its Microsoft Response Point phone system software, adding Voice over IP (VoIP) phone service. Microsoft Response Point was initially introduced in beta code in March 2007 and became generally available last November as a flexible, easy-to-install, affordable phone system for small businesses with up to 50 employees.

The solution, which combines software from Microsoft with hardware from Quanta Computer (News - Alert) Inc. or D-Link Corporation, is currently available for purchase from each vendor’s Web site or through their channel distributors as the Quanta Syspine Digital Operator Phone System or the pictured D-Link VoiceCenter IP Phone System. This summer, a third version, based on hardware from Aastra (News - Alert) Technologies, will become available. Aastra's Response Point will come preloaded with the most recent version of Response Point, SP1 and will support business class SIP phones that include personal mobility solutions. (Aastra Response Point is separate from Aastra’s recently announced AastraLink Pro product also for SMBs.)

At first release (November 2007), the SIP-capable Microsoft Response Point allowed VoIP calling for internal calls only and used PSTN gateways for calls outside the system. With SP1, due out this summer, the system adds VoIP phone service (SIP trunking via service providers) for end-to-end VoIP calling, both internal and external.

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http://internetcommunications.tmcnet.com/topics/sip/articles/28487-microsoft-adds-voip-services-response-point-phone-system.htm