Microsoft Office Communication Server (OCS)
Office Communications Server 2007 combines software-powered VoIP with open standards to make the telephone an intuitive, menu-based part of the computing experience. This unified communications philosophy extends from the organization of the underlying call routing, which includes features like least-cost routing and extension-based digit dialing, as well as integration features that bridge the VoIP standards supported by Office Communications Server 2007 with implementations that use older standards.
At the center of this integration is the Mediation Server role of Office Communications Server 2007. It provides a single interface and uses open-standard SIP for signaling interoperability. Mediation Server takes calls from third-party IP-PBX systems or SIP/PSTN Gateways and moves them onto the network using the adaptive codec, remote user, and security models that are the basis for call setup and media with Office Communications Server 2007.
There are several ways, in which you can integrate Office Communications Server 2007 with your existing PBX environment. Two primary scenarios are "co-existence" and "standalone." Each is based on the use of the Office Communicator 2007 client with a user 's PBX phone and the corporate telephony infrastructure.
Co-Existence Scenario
Co-existence is when an incoming call is forked between the PBX phone and the user 's logged-in Office Communicator 2007 endpoints. Both the PBX phone and Office Communicator 2007 'co-exist ' on the user 's desktop. To keep the features of PBX and enjoy the great streamlined communication capabilities of Office Communications Server 2007, add Office Communications Server 2007 software-powered VoIP to some or all users. Then configure call routing on the qualified IP-PBX between the user 's legacy phone and Office Communicator 2007.
Standalone Scenario
In the standalone scenario, various users within an organization replace their legacy phones with Office Communicator 2007 or an Office Communications Server 2007 IP phone. This way, users who are configured to use Office Communications Server 2007 will make and receive calls with Office Communicator 2007, and users configured to use the PBX will make and receive calls using the PBX. Each group continues to have a smooth calling experience, including extension-based dialing capability. This scenario works especially well for mobile employees.
Implementation
The Standalone scenario can be implemented using either a SIP/PSTN gateway, such as the NET VX Series Gateway or Quintum Hybrid Gateway. For more information on these products or integration services please contact Techland Systems International.