Microsoft unveils Response Point phone system for SMEs

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Microsoft is currently beta testing an IP-based phone system designed specifically for small businesses who want rid of the hassle and expense of public branch exchange (PBX) solutions and hopes to publicly release three models of the technology later this year.

Beta 2 of the software will commence testing next month.

The offering, code-named Response Point, will feature a voice-activated user interface and be easy to install and manage for smaller players using a PC-based console.

Response Point will also grow as the business does, as companies can simply add new phones as their employee headcount rises, according to the software giant.

"I am proud and honored to work with leaders in the computing, telephony and networking fields to bring Response Point to market," said Xuedong Huang, general manager of the Response Point team at Microsoft.

"Each of our OEM partners brings its own special expertise to our customers, allowing us to serve a much broader range of small businesses."

Microsoft plans to work with three hardware partners to offer the three flavours of the new system: D-Link DVX-2000, Quanta Syspine and Uniden Evolo.

"The Response Point voice-enabled user interface is a great example of how innovative new technology can be applied to solve everyday customer problems," added Rick Rashid, senior vice president of Research at Microsoft.

Microsoft's latest announcement, revealed at its second annual small business summit, helps pave the way for the public availability of beta versions of its Office Communications Server 2007 and Office Communicator 2007 later this month.

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