Microsoft Acquires Group-Chat Company

September 4th, 2007

On Wednesday, Microsoft said it will acquire Chicago-based Parlano and will integrate the company’s enterprise group chat technology, known as MindAlign, into Microsoft’s unified communications products.The deal is expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2007. At that time, Microsoft will add group chat to Office Communications Server and Office Communicator. Microsoft will offer the group chat functionality as part of the standard client access license for Office Communications Server 2007 Software Assurance customers.

“Parlano has been successful in meeting the rigorous communications needs of companies in financial services and other vertical markets,” Gurdeep Singh Pall, corporate vice president of the Unified Communications Group at Microsoft, said in a statement. Microsoft is betting MindAlign will give its enterprise presence, instant messaging, conferencing, and VoIP software suite an upper hand.

Click here to read the rest of this story on NewsFactor.

Entry Filed under: Hot off the Press