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. 

 

The system promises simple installation and management, using familiar Microsoft interfaces. Phones are plugged into a local area network (LAN), automatically discovered by the system, and an easy wizard is available for setup. In addition to management without the need for a specialist, Response Point offers some functionality not typically found on smaller systems, including speech recognition that lets users speak commands (i.e. “transfer to Mary”) rather than using the keypad and entering an extension number.

 

A customizable Automated Receptionist is available to record a company messages, add information about a business (hours, directions, etc.) and enables callers to speak a party’s name for connection to their extension (traditional keypad sequences are also supported). Call forwarding, voice mail archive and retrieval through e-mail, enhanced call parking, screen pops for personalized service and a Bypass Receptionist that lets specified callers ring an employee’s phone directly are among the notable features. 

 

Microsoft Response Point is also priced affordably for small businesses. Both OEM partners, D-Link (News - Alert) and Quanta, offer Response Point phone system starter packages. The D-Link VoiceCenter IP Phone System package includes a base unit, five desktop phones and an external analog telephone adapter (four lines) for approximately $2,500. For the same price, the Quanta Syspine package includes a base unit with built-in integrated secure gateway and an analog telephone adapter (eight lines) and four desktop phones. Additional Quanta phones ($159) or D-Link phones ($139) make a typical, complete 20-phone system less than $5,500.

 

TelecomTactics Takeaway: Microsoft continues to move forward in the VoIP arena, entering the small business telephony market with the Microsoft Response Point phone system for businesses with fewer than 50 employees. The solution combines software from Microsoft with hardware from OEM partners Quanta Computer Inc. and D-Link Corporation (Quanta Syspine Digital Operator Phone System and D-Link VoiceCenter IP Phone System became generally available in November 2007). This summer 2008, a third version is due out based on hardware from Aastra Technologies (Aastra Response Point), adding a line of SIP telephones. (Aastra Response Point is separate from Aastra’s recently announced AastraLink Pro product also for SMBs.) Response Point promises plug-and-play installation, simple management by non-technical personnel and delivers key productivity features, including voice recognition and voice-mail to e-mail. Service Pack 1, due out this summer, adds VoIP phone service (SIP trunking via service providers) for end-to-end VoIP calling, both internal and external. www.telecomtactics.com