Palm and Microsoft, the Partnership Continues...

I was there for the first announcement, two years ago, standing on stage with Ed Colligan and Bill Gates. It was a chance of a lifetime to share that stage and so cool to talk about things that had been kept secret for so long as the first person to demonstrate our first product to the world.

As such, I plan to work my way back into Palm's blog quite a few times this year with news on how Palm and Microsoft are working together to help companies solve business problems, increase efficiency and make it easier for their workers to take care of all aspects of their lives while on the go.

So today I'm on the soapbox about Office Communications Server (OCS) 2007 and how Palm Treo smartphones running Windows Mobile, the 500v, 750/v, and 700w/wx, all help people communicate within an organization.

Microsoft just announced their newest component in their Unified Communications strategy, OCS 2007. With regard to mobility, OCS brings corporate Instant Messaging and presence (fancy way of saying that you'll know when your colleagues are on IM at any given time) to businesses through Exchange Server. And low and behold, there is a client called Communicator Mobile that works on Treo to extend the same functionality on the desktop into people's Treo smartphones.

Many of use IM in our daily lives, and corporate IM serves the same purpose - to easily start an immediate conversation with someone. Often the message is simple - "can you talk now?" or "meet me in the conference room." But it is super effective for the people in your company who don't sit side by side. And with Communicator Mobile on a Treo, it now doesn't require them to be at their desk to be a part of the conversation.

Unless you are using something like OCS to manage the conversations, your company may run afoul of certain compliance laws, like Sarbanes-Oxley. That's why IT departments like OCS. It allows them to securely set up effective communications and be in compliance with The Man.

So if you're and IT Pro, check out the Microsoft announcement today. And if you're a manager or end-user looking to have better communication between people, you check it out, then tell your IT partner to check it out too.

Talk to you soon as Palm and Microsoft will have a lot to say over the next year about Business.

-Joe Fabris, Sr. Director of Wireless Solutions

Comments

[Chris Bradshaw]

This Palm and Microsoft pertnetship sounds great! Now how about getting Windows Mobile 6 On the Treo 750(ATT)!

[Jason]

I've been using Communicator Mobile on my 700wx for almost a year. It really is a nice way to stay in touch while either out running about or just while in a different room in the building, away from your pc.

[nony]

When will the Windows Mobile 6.0 upgrade be released for us Cingular/AT&T customers with the Treo 750 device?

A good chunk of us Treo 750 users are becoming quite impatient will the ever delaying release dates, empty promises and raising false hopes. At least we are being treated as fairly as the Treo 700 users, if you can consider that a good thing!

[Awright of Brigththand]

I agree that this is something good, and interesting. But more far reaching would be this type of 'presence' being extended to the consumer side of Palm's smartphones. Besides being a means for people to take more advantage of the connectivity options of being wireless, its an open door into the type of mobile living that Palm has been walking towards for sometime.

[roman]

I guess people are commenting less and less on this site. nothing interesting or new to see.

what about you post something on your progress of Palm OS II? You've got quite the competition with Google OS and Access doing their own Linux versions.

[K Rock]

I had an interesting conversation with a support member that told me personally that he wanted me to post to the blog site

The summary is that the Unlocked Palm Treo 750 purchased from Palm contains the WM 6, purchased from AT&T WM 5, and the update is awaiting AT&T's approval.

Basically it would seem that AT&T wants to see success with the Tilt prior to releasing the updater... Tilt = Treo Killer

Treo 750 WM 6 = Tilt Killer

I am told that the Executives can place pressure on AT&T to release the updater. Let see if Palm wishes to give up market share or is willing to commend their loyal fan base

Palm you need to look out for number 1 here (both you and the consumer), AT&T is going to kill your market share if you do not force the release!

[JeffF]

I agree with the above posts. I am an owner of a Treo 750 on ATT, and have watched and read on forums and online channels that the WM6 upgrade is being delayed and delayed. We look forward to better battery life, less lockups (and subsequent reboots), and all the improved functionality that comes with a newer software release.

Any actual response from Microsoft/Palm would be appreciated for all the Treo 750 owners out here waiting for software that has been available to others for months. Your customers want your software, and we have no idea why it is being delayed.

[small fish]

yeah palm, why don't you ( a 1200 person company with revenue streams dependent on 3 carriers) tell one of your carriers (AT&T a 300k person company with multiple revenue streams outside of wireless) to take your product and sell it now whether they want to or not! i just don't understand why you can't just make it happen.

[LDS]

As long as Treos do not support WiFi IM is far less useful while under WiFi coverage, especially while most competitors have, and especially while telco keeps on charging too much.