New Program from Microsoft Connects Phone and Video to Outlook E-Mail

The New York Times recently reported that Microsoft has launched two new programs that enable people to place calls directly from the Microsoft Outlook e-mail program. Obviously, they are working hard to intermingle calling, conferencing, e-mail, and instant messaging. This type of software recently merged some corporate telephone networks with networks connecting office PC's to the Internet.

Office Communications Server 2007 and Office Communicator 2007 have added voice calling and video conferencing to its features. Microsoft continues to change the way people communicate. The programs can identify to co-workers how to contact each other based on their "presence" status, whether it is via phone, Instant Message, or E-mail.

This is just another great example of how technology is improving our world. Already I can listen to my voicemails from Outlook. It's delivered as an email message with an mp3 attachment. I have always hated listening to voicemail, but for some reason, it's not so bad when I listen via Outlook. I don't even have to pick up the phone. I'm sure we'll start to see this technology in many more of our offices very soon.

If your office has either of these programs, feel free to comment to let us know how you like it. Do you see an improvement in office productivity and communication?

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