News

Beta Unveiled of Live Communications Server 2005

Microsoft this week opened a beta program for the second-generation version of its instant messaging server.

The project, previously known by the code-name "Vienna," will be called Microsoft Office Live Communications Server 2005, or LCS 2005. The first version, Live Communications Server 2003, shipped in October as part of the Office System 2003 launch. Microsoft expects to ship LCS 2005 in the fourth quarter.

Microsoft positions LCS as a standards-based enterprise instant messaging server and a real-time collaboration platform. One of the key enhancements built into the new version is support for extending presence information and instant messages to partners, suppliers and customers. The previous version was limited to exchanges between parties inside the firewall.

A related improvement allows end users to connect to presence and IM capabilities from outside the corporate network. Microsoft says the architecture of the system has also been improved for better reliability, availability and scalability.

About the Author

Scott Bekker is editor in chief of Redmond Channel Partner magazine.

Featured

  • An image of planes flying around a globe

    2025 Microsoft Conference Calendar: For Partners, IT Pros and Developers

    Here's your guide to all the IT training sessions, partner meet-ups and annual Microsoft conferences you won't want to miss.

  • Notebook

    Microsoft Centers AI, Security and Partner Dogfooding at MCAPS

    Microsoft's second annual MCAPS for Partners event took place Tuesday, delivering a volley of updates and directives for its partners for fiscal 2026.

  • Microsoft Layoffs: AI Is the Obvious Elephant in the Room

    As Microsoft doubles down on an $80 billion bet on AI this fiscal year, its workforce reductions are drawing scrutiny over whether AI's ascent is quietly reshaping its human capital strategy, even as official messaging avoids drawing a direct line.

  • Microsoft CSPs To Start Selling Windows 10 ESU this Fall

    Organizations that want to extend the life of their Windows 10 PCs can begin buying extension plans from Microsoft's Cloud Solution Provider (CSP) partners on Sept. 1.

Most   Popular