Microsoft Corp. today announced it is extending Microsoft® Office Live Communications Server 2005 capabilities to mobile devices, enabling companies to deploy trusted instant messaging (IM) and presence-enabled solutions that provide a consistent experience across PCs and smart mobile devices. As an initial step, the company unveiled plans to deliver a new mobile Live Communications Server 2005 client, for Windows Mobile (TM) -based devices.

Based on the user interface of the Microsoft Office Communicator 2005 messaging client, the new Windows Mobile client is designed to provide information workers with a premier mobile collaboration experience through native integration of mobile applications with enterprise-grade, real-time communications tools. Extending Live Communications Server to mobile devices furthers Microsoft's vision for integrated communications, described by Bill Gates at the Microsoft RTC unified launch event March 8 as giving information workers access to presence and unified modes of communication -- e-mail, phone, instant messaging (IM), short message service (SMS), videoconferencing and webconferencing -- across a variety of form factors (PC, desk phone, mobile device) and wired or wireless networks.

"Information workers spend a lot of time away from their desks for meetings, travel, customer visits and other demands, and having mobile access to enterprise-grade real-time communications can help them work smarter and more efficiently," said Gurdeep Pall, corporate vice president for the Real-Time Collaboration Group at Microsoft. "Through the new Windows Mobile client and innovative mobile solutions from a vibrant ecosystem of developer partners, we'll offer mobile users an integrated communications and presence-sharing experience, all within a security-enhanced, trusted environment."