Microsoft Responds to Enterprise Need for Enhanced Mac Instant Messaging
New version of Messenger for Mac improves consumer IM experience and
enables corporate IM with support for Microsoft Office Live Communications
Server 2005
REDMOND, Wash. — Aug. 9, 2005 — You’re on a conference call near the end
of the day, and before you hang up you need to remind your manager to
approve the file you e-mailed earlier, check on whether a colleague is in
the office, and get status updates on three projects. How can you handle
these tasks efficiently and with security in mind? Enterprise communication
is evolving, and Microsoft Messenger for Mac 5.0 from Microsoft Corp.’s
Macintosh Business Unit (Mac BU) delivers tools to meet the new reality of
corporate collaboration.
Messenger for Mac 5.0 introduces tabbed viewing, a new approach for Mac
customers who use instant messaging for work and for play. Users may
simultaneously access corporate and personal Messenger accounts and set a
unique user status on each. The personal tab allows users to instant
message (IM) with friends and family, while support for Microsoft Office
Live Communications Server 2005 enables enterprise customers to IM in a
security-enhanced manner via the corporate tab with colleagues inside and
out the network.
Enterprise Workers Unite Over Instant Messaging
“Methods of communication and collaboration in the workplace have changed
drastically in the last few years — particularly with IM becoming a common
means of interoffice communication,” said Van Baker, vice president and
research director for Gartner. “An enterprise solution is needed to provide
a true office collaboration tool rather than the typical ‘buddy’ IM we have
seen in the past.”
Messenger for Mac 5.0 takes advantage of integration with Microsoft’s
enterprise IM solutions. Messenger for Mac 5.0 can be deployed with Live
Communications Server 2005 to help improve collaboration for corporate Mac
users by streamlining communication and allowing for enhanced messaging
security. Corporate messaging sessions run through Live Communications
Server 2005 are contained within the corporate firewall and server-side
session logging is enabled. Corporate customers can also deploy the Live
Communications Server 2005 Public IM Connectivity license, enabling their
Mac users to IM with contacts outside the network who use services from
AOL, MSN and Yahoo! Live Communications Server 2005 support also introduces
integration with the Global Address List, allowing corporate Mac users to
locate contact information and availability status more efficiently than
before.
Home Users Get Personal With IM
To better serve Mac customers, Messenger for Mac 5.0 has an updated design
that features a Mac OS-like brushed-metal look and feel in addition to a
refined Preferences pane. Version 5.0 also includes new features that allow
customers to develop their online personalities with customizable display
pictures and the ability to view animated and custom emoticons.
“The latest version of Messenger for Mac is ideal for both office and
personal communication,” said Scott Erickson, director of product
management and marketing for the Mac BU at Microsoft. “Our customers told
us they needed a business tool to enable corporate messaging, so these
requests were a primary driver in the development of the new version.
Messenger for Mac 5.0 allows for greater collaboration in corporate
environments and yet still presents a fun way to chat with friends and
family.”
Microsoft Messenger for Mac 5.0 will be available in English, Dutch,
French, German, Italian, Japanese, Spanish and Swedish beginning on Aug. 9,
2005. Customers may download this version for free at
(http://www.microsoft.com/mac).
About the Microsoft Macintosh Business Unit
The Macintosh Business Unit at Microsoft is a leading developer of software
and online products for the Macintosh platform. The group is composed of
more than 180 full-time Mac product experts and is dedicated to creating
innovative software for Mac customers worldwide. For more than 20 years,
Microsoft has developed award-winning software for the Mac. Current
products include Microsoft Office 2004 for Mac, a productivity suite that
includes the e-mail application and personal information manager Entourage
2004, Word 2004, Excel 2004 and PowerPoint 2004; Virtual PC for Mac Version
7; and Messenger for Mac 5.0. More information about the Mac BU and
Microsoft Macintosh products is available at (http://www.microsoft.com/mac)
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in
software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize
their full potential.