Microsoft OCS 2007 R2 Virtual Launch

Microsoft is officially launching Office Communications Server 2007 R2 today. Check out the launch site to participate or for more information. Microsoft has also launched a TON of new documentation. I have a more complete list below, but the best place to start is What's new in OCS 2007 R2.

The feature I'm most excited about is Audio Conferencing. This is an area where Cisco and their MeetingPlace offering had a big leg up on Microsoft... not anymore. The Audio Conferencing in OCS 2007 R2 is a robust solution and based on my experience with it should meet the needs of most all companies, small and large.

If you have any questions on the launch or want to talk OCS in general, feel free to drop me a line at sip:alex@cco.com

A lot of people have been asking why Microsoft chose a virtual launch event instead of a grandiose global in-person launch as it did in Oct 2007 for the original OCS launch? Chris Lehr has some interesting thoughts on that on his blog. I had been asking the same thing, but although I still don't agree with the strategy, it makes more sense after reading Chris's point of view.

Matt Wade over at Single Point of Contact put together a list of deployment guides and helpful docs on the new release:

Attendant

• Office Communications Server 2007 R2 Quick Reference for Communications Server 2007 R2 Attendant
• Microsoft Office Communications Server 2007 R2 Attendant Deployment Guide

Mobile

• Quick Reference Card for Communicator Mobile 2007 R2
• The 2007 R2 Version of Microsoft Office Communicator Mobile for Windows Mobile Getting Started Guide
• The 2007 R2 Version of Microsoft Office Communicator Mobile for Windows Mobile: Frequently Asked Questions

Communicator

• Microsoft Office Communicator 2007 R2 Deployment Guide
• Microsoft Office Communicator 2007 R2 Getting Started Guide
• Microsoft Office Communicator 2007 R2 Quick Reference Card for Conferencing
• Microsoft Office Communicator 2007 R2 Quick Reference Card for Contact Management, Presence, and IM
• Microsoft Office Communicator 2007 R2 Quick Reference Card for Keyboard Shortcuts
• Microsoft Office Communicator 2007 R2 Quick Reference Card for Phone and Video
• Microsoft Office Communicator 2007 R2 Testing and Troubleshooting Guide

Web Access

• Microsoft Office Communicator Web Access 2007 R2 Quick Reference Card

Conferencing

• Deploying the Microsoft Office Live Meeting 2007 Client with Office Communications Server 2007 R2
• Getting Started with the Microsoft Office Live Meeting Client for Microsoft Office Communications Server 2007 R2
• Meeting Client for Office Communications Server 2007 R2 Testing and Troubleshooting Guide
• Microsoft Office Communications Server 2007 R2 Quick Reference for Dial-in Conferencing
• Microsoft Office Live Meeting Quick Reference for Microsoft Office Communications Server 2007 R2

Group Chat

• Microsoft Office Communications Server 2007 R2 Client Group Policy Settings
• Microsoft Office Communications Server 2007 R2 Group Chat Getting Started Guide
• Microsoft Office Communications Server 2007 R2 Group Chat Planning and Deployment Guide
• Microsoft Office Communications Server 2007 R2 Group Chat Quick Reference Card
• Microsoft Office Communications Server 2007 R2 Group Chat Testing and Troubleshooting Guide
• Microsoft Office Communications Server 2007 R2 Group Chat What’s New Guide

Release Notes

• Office Communications Server 2007 R2 Release Notes  

• Microsoft
• VoIP / Convergence
• OCS
• Office Communications Server 2007
• R2
• VoIP