Today in his keynote address at the Fall 2004 VON Conference & Expo, Anoop Gupta, corporate vice president of the Real-Time Collaboration (RTC) Business Group at Microsoft Corp., outlined Microsoft's real-time collaboration vision and strategy for integrated communications, and announced plans for a next-generation client. Building on the recent success and rapid adoption of Microsoft� Office Live Communications Server and Microsoft Office Live Meeting, Gupta introduced the newest member of the Microsoft Office System, code-named "Istanbul," that will provide integrated communications capabilities including instant messaging, extensible presence, PC-based voice and video, and telephony integration.

"Customers depend on real-time communications to make more informed, timely decisions, and to stay better connected with their customers and grow their business," Gupta said. "With 'Istanbul,' Live Communications Server and Live Meeting, we are providing pervasive real-time collaboration capabilities and empowering our customers to work together more effectively. 'Istanbul' represents a milestone by integrating various modes of communications in one unified desktop experience."