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Microsoft To Acquire Group Chat Platform

Microsoft late last week announced that it would buy Parlano, a Chicago-based developer of a group chat platform. Parlano's product, called MindAlign, delivers group chat technology that enables people to carry on topic-specific, multiparty instant messaging discussions that continue over time.

Microsoft is expected to add the MindAlign group chat functionality as a new feature of Microsoft Office Communications Server and Microsoft Office Communicator, Microsoft's server and client software for presence, instant messaging, virtual conferencing and VoIP. The companies expect the deal to close in October.

Microsoft has been buying a lot of companies lately. What do you think its strategy is? Write me at [email protected].

Posted by Peter Varhol on September 04, 2007


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