Miercom test lab put OCS Release 2 through its paces, and found many worthy additions--with a few caveats.

When the Miercom team took a look at a RTM (Release to Manufacturing) version of Microsoft OCS 2007 last year, we saw the path Microsoft was taking to integrate and deliver VoIP capabilities into the office—capabilities such as IM, email, voice and video calling and structured conferencing (our No Jitter review of the first Microsoft OCS 2007 release can be found here). Now Microsoft is out with Release 2 of OCS 2007 (OCS R2), and we recently tested this newest version out in our labs.

OCS 2007 had proved scalable--it could handle up to 125,000 users--and the new OCS 2007 R2 goes even further, as it can handle up to 200,000 users. Services can be handled by one server, or split when additional resources are required. Used in conjunction with Microsoft Outlook, communications options are enhanced, with new functionality that extends voice features for remote and mobile users; new audio-conferencing functionality that can reduce operating costs; and advanced administration tools designed to improve business communication through a Unified Communications (UC) infrastructure.

OCS R2 is a real-time communications server, providing the infrastructure, instant messaging, presence, file transfer, peer-to-peer and multiparty voice & video calling, ad hoc & structured conferences (audio, video and web) and PSTN connectivity. These features are available within an organization, between branch locations, and with external users on the public Internet, or with standard phones on the PSTN.

OCS R2 continues to deliver on Microsoft’s promise to streamline communications for users, give IT organizations the flexibility and control needed to manage communications infrastructure efficiently, and provide an extensible communications platform. We looked at OCS R2 with the new Microsoft Office Communicator, Office 2007, Exchange 2007 and some reference designs for Microsoft Certified Endpoints.

Features and Enhancements of OCS 2007 R2
Building upon the previous version, Microsoft's OCS 2007 R2 continues to deliver a viable communications infrastructure platform, introducing enhanced communications features, along with significant improvements to existing functionality. OCS R2 provides streamlined communications, operational flexibility and control, with an extensive platform to manage the communications network efficiently.

OCS R2 presents a smooth integration of server and client features. On the client side, OCS R2 provides these new and enhanced features: new Office Communications Server 2007 R2 Attendant, Office Communicator phone, mobile and Group Chat enhancements. The OCS R2 provides a platform for presence, IM, conferencing and enterprise voice, encompassing a vast amount of enhanced functionality. Within this article, we cover some of the "heavy-hitter" features and functionality that Microsoft has integrated into OCS R2.

Office Communicator 2007 R2 for Clients
The main component on the client side is Office Communicator 2007 R2 (OC R2), which now includes a wide range of new and enhanced UC services. Desktop-sharing, Group Chat, Call Delegation, Voice and Video enhancements are among the most significant features.

No matter where a user is physically located, the new call delegation-call forwarding feature enables delegation of phone duties to other persons and quickly routes them to the intended recipients, and can perform other required functions. Within Office Communicator, managers and/or users can now select from the many Call Forwarding Settings, located on the new pull-down menu, e.g., "Ring me and my delegates," or "Ring my delegates only."

A Desktop Sharing Feature allows others to see your desktop while a session is taking place, allowing multiple user access to the PC. This can be a useful tool for designs, calendar planning and other shared projects. Collaboration can take place while using enhanced audio conferencing features, instant messaging or Communicator Web Access. Sharing can be initiated when enabled for any conference hosted by the server.

Not only is there a user delegation feature, a new attendant delegation feature enables users to effectively manage high-call volume and conferences on behalf of others, through rapid call handling, instant messaging and on-screen routing. Calls can be quickly and systematically routed, while the integrated caller history and conversation notes provide context for those callers as the calls appear on the screen. Also included in the delegation feature, users can select the call and accept or decline calls for another person.

Video calls can now be received in high definition. Previously, Office Communicator supported a video format with a 352 x 288 resolution. With OC R2, the enhanced media resiliency and voice quality offer both VGA display (640 x 480) and High Definition (1280 x 720). When selecting the video size, the appropriate format is selected. In large mode, the video format is VGA, while in full screen mode, the format is High Definition. Currently HD and VGA video are not supported for multi-endpoint conferences.

Voice quality has been enhanced by suppressing typing noise during calls; and new video and voice icons were added to the OC conversation window. The icon indicates whether the person joining the conversation is using a phone or video endpoint, and is displayed in a screen window.

Mobile and single-number features extend the Office Communicator functionality. The mobile feature resides on both the server and client side, and provides messaging for mobile devices integrating with IM, presence, and telephony. It can be accessed anywhere with wireless or network service providers and allows communications using presence, IM and voice as an extension of the PBX. OC mobile also includes a variety of enhanced usability, performance, and search improvements.

The Group Chat feature allows users to participate in IM conversations that persist over time, and the entire session can be stored, with searchable, topic-based chat rooms that can be set up. In the previous OC 2007, after the group IM session ended, its state was lost; additionally, only four parties could chat during one session. With OC R2 Group Chat, the conversation persists together with files, Web links, and associated data, making it possible to have a record of the session.

A nice embellishment to the Office Communicator 2007 R2 (OC R2) is the enhanced mobile presence status. When users sign into OC R2 Mobile on their mobile device, the "mobile" icon is added to the presence status, next to a person’s name, displaying presence information. The screen also displays the presence and status of all users, and if Outlook's "Out of Office" message is on, that information appears as well.

Additionally, the Group Chat feature allows a user to invite others into a call, or use high-def video while text-chatting at the same time; they can cut and paste the text from the conversations, and can leave and re-enter the conversation. OC R2 stores all chat call information once a call has ended. Users can also change the size of the video screen (small, large, full) and control to pause the video, flip video, or switch users inside small and main video windows. A user can also block one's presence from other users, when joining a chat call.