Benefits of using Microsoft OCS with Exchange 2007 Unified Messaging

• Allowing access to voicemail from the Communicator 2007 client
• Enabling access to Outlook Voice Access (OVA) from the Communicator 2007 client
• Receiving missed call notifications in both Outlook 2007 and the Microsoft Office Communicator 2007 client

Although using them together provides a more comprehensive messaging solution, Microsoft never specifically stated that both Exchange 2007 and OCS run concurrently to reap all their benefits. This changed with the release of Exchange Server 2007 Service Pack 1 (SP1), which contains enhancements to the UM role.

New dial plans

Office Communications Server uses SIP URI and E.164 dial plans, which Exchange Server 2007 didn't support previously. SP1 gives you the ability to create E.164 and SIP URI dial plans using Exchange Server's Dial Plan Wizard.

Intelligent call forwarding notifications

When Exchange 2007 and OCS are combined, some strange things can occur. For example, suppose that User 1 places a call to User 2, but User 2 forwards calls automatically to User 3. When this happens, Exchange gives User 1 the chance to record a voice message, and then places that message into User 3's mailbox.

However, depending on the greeting that User 3 has on his mailbox, User 1 may think that he left a message for User 2. SP1 changes this. If User 1 places the call from the Office Communicator client, they are notified that they're leaving a ...

Digg This!     StumbleUpon     Del.icio.us

RELATED CONTENT Instant Messaging and Unified Messaging Digging deeper into Exchange Server 2010 Testing Unified Messaging connectivity in Exchange 2007 Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 Unified Messaging for administrators An intro to voice systems for Exchange administrators Defining Exchange Unified Messaging architecture Unified Messaging features in Exchange Server 2007 Integrating Unified Messaging servers with a VoIP solution Configuring a Unified Messaging IP gateway Creating and assigning a Unified Messaging hunt group Assigning Unified Messaging dialing rules to a mailbox policy Instant Messaging and Unified Messaging Research Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 How to install Forefront Security for Exchange Server Displaying Exchange 2007 public folders in SharePoint Don'ts for optimal Exchange 2007 mailbox server efficiency Is your Exchange 2007 hub transport server healthy? Top 5 Exchange ActiveSync tips Two useful tools for documenting an Exchange Server installation Controlling spam in Exchange 2007 at the edge transport server level Restore Exchange storage groups with DPM 2007 How a hosted Exchange service can help you Email issues after configuring hosted Exchange server on laptop Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 Research Microsoft SharePoint and Collaboration Tips Displaying Exchange 2007 public folders in SharePoint Microsoft Outlook and SharePoint calendar dos and don'ts Fix Outlook 2007 and SharePoint synchronization breaks A behind-the-scenes look at Outlook 2007 and SharePoint integration Synchronize SharePoint resources with Microsoft Outlook 2007 Linking to MOSS Meeting Workspaces in Outlook 2007 Testing Unified Messaging connectivity in Exchange 2007 Creating Meeting Workspaces in MOSS 2007 and Outlook 2007 Meeting Workspaces in Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 Previewing SharePoint document libraries in Microsoft Outlook

RELATED GLOSSARY TERMS Terms from Whatis.com − the technology online dictionary spim  (SearchExchange.com)

RELATED RESOURCES 2020software.com, trial software downloads for accounting software, ERP software, CRM software and business software systems Search Bitpipe.com for the latest white papers and business webcasts Whatis.com, the online computer dictionary

message for User 3, not User 2.

Missed call notifications

Before the release of Exchange Server 2007 SP1, missed call notifications were messy in organizations running both Exchange 2007 and OCS because both products generated missed call notifications independently. If a Unified Messaging-enabled user is also using the Office Communicator client and misses a call, both the Office Communicator client and Exchange would generate missed call notifications.

Unless a user understands how the system works, they might think that they missed two separate calls. Exchange 2007 SP1 corrects this issue so that when Exchange and OCS are both in use, UM-enabled users also using the Office Communicator client will receive only one missed call notification.

Although most new unified messaging features in Exchange 2007 SP1 require OCS, some are available without OCS, including:

• SRTP protocol support
• The ability to configure TLS through the Exchange Management Console (EMC)
• QoS support through DiffServ
• Inband fax tone detection

About the author: Brien M. Posey, MCSE, is a four-time recipient of Microsoft's Most Valuable Professional Award for his work with Windows Server, Internet Information Server (IIS) and Exchange Server. Brien has served as CIO for a nationwide chain of hospitals and healthcare facilities, and was once a network administrator for Fort Knox. You can visit Brien's personal web site at www.brienposey.com.

Do you have comments on this tip? Let us know.

Please let others know how useful this tip was via the rating scale below. Do you know a helpful Exchange Server, Microsoft Outlook or SharePoint tip, timesaver or workaround? Email the editors to talk about writing for SearchExchange.com.

Rate this Tip To rate tips, you must be a member of SearchExchange.com. Register now to start rating these tips. Log in if you are already a member. DISCLAIMER: Our Tips Exchange is a forum for you to share technical advice and expertise with your peers and to learn from other enterprise IT professionals. TechTarget provides the infrastructure to facilitate this sharing of information. However, we cannot guarantee the accuracy or validity of the material submitted. You agree that your use of the Ask The Expert services and your reliance on any questions, answers, information or other materials received through this Web site is at your own risk.