14 DAY TRIAL // Through the release of Service Pack 1, Microsoft has now added what it referred to as seamless Voice over Internet Protocol integration to its Response Point solution. Starting with the first quarter of 2008, the Redmond giant offered repeated indications of plans to position SP1 as a major feature update to Microsoft Response Point. The focus of the service pack is to enable the evolution of Response Point into a full digital voice solution aimed at the small business market.
"Small businesses want the same powerful, productive and cost-saving features that big businesses enjoy, but tailored to their needs," said Xuedong Huang, general manager of Microsoft Response Point. Indeed, in this context, Response Point, now with SP1, is tailored to the specific needs of businesses numbering no more than 50 employees.
The phone system software, following the integration of SP1, will offer users new features from the trivial ability to control the music playing during hold time and for parked calls, to delivering a log with all the call history. Assistant software contacts have been added click-to-call functionality, but on top of it all, Response Point SP1 VoIP calling capabilities have been kicked up a notch with session initiation protocol (SIP) trunking.
"By aligning with industry-leading vendors, SP1 delivers improved performance with many new features like voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) calling, in a complete phone system that can help small businesses and channel partners grow their businesses," Huang added.
Although SP1 is available as a free and standalone download which can be implemented into the original version of Response Point, Microsoft's partners have already begun shipping new systems preloaded with the latest version of the digital voice solution. There are but three Response Point hardware developers and Aastra Technologies, one of them, indicated that AastraLink RP is already offered to customers. AastraLink RP comes with Microsoft Response Service Pack 1 by default.
"The telephone is a cornerstone of small-business operations and customer relations. We're pleased to partner with Microsoft to deliver AastraLink RP, an easy-to-use, scalable phone system that will help small businesses achieve their business goals," explained Yves Lalibert?, executive vice president at Aastra.
Microsoft Response Point Service Pack 1 (SP1) is available for download here.